GONE FISHIN

US, 1997, 94 minutes, Colour.
Joe Pesci, Danny Glover, Rosanna Arquette, Min Whitfield, Nick Brimble, Carol Kane, Willie Nelson.
Directed by Christopher Cain.

Gone Fishin' is a farce about two middle-aged men who go to Florida on a fishing expedition. Everything goes wrong, from the time their car is stolen by a serial killer, to all the chases that they become involved in, to a final happy ending.

The film is a farce but is made farcically. The two leads overact considerably, taking away the possible comic effects of their performances and the situations. In the Everglades Willie Nelson turns up as a kind of guardian angel to help them out of their troubles.

1. American comedy? Broad comedy? Farce?

2. The stars and their performances, overacting? An exaggerated sense of comedy and farce?

3. Gus and Joe, their families, their work, going fishing, driving, the encounter with the friendly man in the diner, his stealing the car? On the road with the boat, the two girls towing the boat, their separation and crash? Hearing the news about the murderer? Wanting the reward? Their adventures in boat for sale, wrecking it? The continued adventures - at the resort, being pursued on the Everglades, Willie Nelson turning up, the final chase and confrontation with the criminal? Meeting the two girls? Owing all the money - on television but fishing back in their canals at home?

4. Characters and styles, black and white, the pair working together?

5. The villain and his smooth talk, taking the car, pursuit, the final confrontation?

6. The two girls and their involvement, helping Gus and Joe, trying to catch the criminal?

7. Assorted characters in diners, at resorts, the police, media people?

8. Potentially comic material misfiring?