NOTHING BUT TROUBLE
US, 1991, 94 minutes, Colour.
Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Demi Moore, John Candy.
Directed by Dan Aykroyd.
Nothing But Trouble is a comedy misfire. For that the blame must go to Dan Aykroyd who wrote the screenplay, starred and directed. He has his friend Chevy Chase as the main star, has John Candy along for comic effect, Demi Moore for glamour. There are some humorous moments - but, overall, like Gene Wilder's Haunted Honeymoon, it plays with the traditions of haunted houses and eccentric Americans. But it doesn't work.
Aykroyd is made up to be a 105-year-old judge - but he seems a very unpleasant comic character. Chevy Chase is his usual self - but again is presented rather unsympathetically. The good moments of the film come from John Candy, who has the sympathetic role of the local policeman - and does a little tour de force as his sister and carries off his impersonation very well. There are all kinds of special effects and stunts, verbal and visual slapstick and humour - often with the crass touch. However, the set designer must be commended for presenting the town of Valkenvania as a masterpiece of rubbish decor. Not one of the best comedies of the '90s.
1. The title? The reality of the title and the film's effect on audiences? Comic misfire?
2. The contrast between New York City, the New Jersey countryside and landscapes, the ugly town of Valkenvania with its rubbish, cluttered houses and decor, rubbish tip and car dump look? The musical score - from classic to rock and roll and rap?
3. The strength of the cast, their performances here - and Dan Aykroyd's contribution of writing, starring and directing?
4. The premise of the film and its humour - Chevy Chase as the financial adviser, the disdainful wealthy man, the parties, encountering the glamorous lawyer, coming to her aid and driving her to Atlantic City - with the eccentric Brazilian millionaires in tow? The premise, the execution, the raucous tone - and the film getting out of control?
5. Driving through the countryside, the picnic, Valkenvania, not stopping at the stop sign, the pursuit by the police, the high-speed chase, attempting to bribe the policeman, coming before the judge, the impact of Valkenvania, the woman policeman and her raucous style? The judge, interrogations? Not liking bankers? The trapdoor? The change of heart and their eventually being invited to the meal - and Eldona coming to serve it? The ugly food, the table talk? The attempt at escape? Imprisoned in the room, trying to get out, the maze of rooms and traps in the house? Diane getting free, Chevy Chase still inside? Diane and her playing with the fat twins? Eldona trying to kill her and their saving her? Chase inside, watching the judge in his room, trying to escape, trapped into marrying Eldona, the ceremony, his trying to get out, the vengeance of the judge and the pursuit?
6. The judge, his age, experience? People brought before him - the drug types and on the roller coaster and being shredded? His sparing the rap musicians after the performance? Sending Chase on the bone shredder? In his room, taking himself apart? The local authorities supporting him - and his survival at the end of the film? Dennis, John Candy's comic style, the letter of the law, at the meal, with his sister? His wanting to get away? The Brazilians and their escape - and his responding to their invitation, their bodyguard in Brazil? The contrast with the policeman cousin, her arrests - and her disappearance?
7. Eldona, her story, big, John Candy's impersonation? Motor mechanic, threats to Diane, the wedding scene, her vengeance?
8. Diane, her decisions, relationship with Chase, her escape, the rescue, the fat twins? The return with the police? The final escape - and the melodrama style of her about to be cut to pieces and then rescued?
9. Chevy Chase as hero, nonchalant, arrogant, rude to the judge, imprisoned, the attempts at escape, the wedding scene, the further escape and the rescue of Diane, bringing the police back? Watching the television - and his finally running away?
10. The prisoners, the humour in the identity documents and the newspaper articles and the disappearance of so many people including Jimmy Hoffa? The police and the National Guard and their support of the judge?
11. Visual humour, verbal humour - why it worked and why it didn't work?
