BREWSTER'S MILLIONS
US, 1985, 97 minutes, Colour.
Richard Pryor, John Candy, Lonette Mc Kee, Stephen Collins, Tovah Feldshuh, Pat Hingle, Hume Cronyn.
Directed by Walter Hill.
Brewster’s Millions is based on a novel by George Barr Mc Cutcheon. It was written at the beginning of the 20th century and filmed first in 1914. It was filmed in succeeding decades, once as Miss Brewster’s Millions in 1926. In 1946 it was a star vehicle for Dennis O’ Keefe. A 1961 was Three on a Spree. However, it then had a rest until it was made as Brewster’s Millions, a star vehicle for the popular Richard Pryor.
The premise is outlandish in its way – a rich uncle (Hume Cronyn) leaves a video will so that his nephew, Monty Brewster, will spend thirty million dollars in thirty days in order to inherit three hundred million. However, the conditions include his not owning anything at the end of the thirty days and his not being able to tell anybody about the will – or else two unworthy trustees will get their hands on the money.
What might seem easy in terms of getting rid of money, is not easy at the rate of one million dollars a day. Richard Pryor obviously enjoys himself in the madcap ways in which he tries to get rid of his hundred million – part waste, part charity, part madcap ingenuity. He goes to great lengths not to explain what he is doing, especially in the face of scepticism from friends, especially from John Candy. Pryor and Candy work well together as a comedy duo.
The film was directed by Walter Hill. Hill began writing films in the early 1970s and directing in 1975. However, his emphasis tended to be on action including such films as Red Heat, Trespass, Wild Bill, Last Man Standing and Geronimo: An American Legend. However, after 1997 he made only a few films and television episodes and his reputation fell. However, with his early body of work, he stands out as a quality director of tough American action features.
1 A popular old play, the many film versions, the updating?
2. America in the '80s, ordinary new Jersey life, Brewster's world, baseball? The contrast with wealth, fashionable, score, songs?
3. The film as a Richard Pryor star vehicle, his comic personality and style, frantic and loud, a black comedian, the adapting of the play for a black star?
4. Brewster in himself, his friendship with Spike, their playing baseball, second-raters, thinking that Mr Roundfield was a scout, his visit, the situation of the search for the heir, his visit to the legal offices, his seeing his grand-uncle's film and the bequest, the order to spend the money, the possibility of choosing, his choice to spend the money and inherit, its being a secret? Angela and her help, her disapproval? The members of the law firm and their trying to thwart Brewster? Warren and his primness, friendship with Brewster, interest in decoration, decorating his apartment with his ex-wife? The humour of the frantic spending, giving away, over-payment, the projects - and money being made on icebergs? The clashes, the pressure? The media, the limelight? The political situation, the campaign against the candidates in New York? The build-up to the final party? The split-second finale - and Warren's being exposed? Angela learning the truth? Brewster's success?
5. Spike as the comic friend, his size, push, loud mouth, not understanding, trying to help, bewildered, the buddy humour?
6. Mr. Poundfield and his understanding of Brewster, the administration his approval, his being careful? the detection and their range of dirty tricks?
7. Spying for the firm, arranging the money deal, decorating the apartment, engagement, the finale and his being caught out?
8. Rupert Horne and his wealth, crustiness, the film made of his will, the satire on the wealthy?
9. Angela as attractive, the heroine, her disapproval of Brewster? Warren, her being put off, admiration and love for Brewster?
10. The range of the entourage and the hangers-on, the people following, the easy handouts, the parties?
11. The world of baseball, Brewster's ambitions, the game in New Jersey ambitions?
12. The world of corruption, people's reaction in supporting Brewster? As a non-candidate and his campaign of
non-involvement?
13. America, the American dream, money, consumerism, spending, making money - and the role of the nine-day wonder?
14. The film working as an American comedy, as a fable about American wealth and greed?
