MR DESTINY
US, 1990, 105 minutes, Colour.
Michael Caine, James Belushi, Linda Hamilton, Jon Lovitz, Hart Bochner, Rene Russo.
Directed by James Orr.
Mr Destiny is an easygoing and pleasant fable about the meaning of life and one's choices. It is a variation on the
It's a Wonderful Life theme, using Mr Destiny (Michael Caine) instead of an angel but having the hero, Larry Burrows, played by James Belushi, going into a world which is the consequence of an alternate choice. Needless to say, he discovers the truth about himself and returns happily to his own life.
James Belushi is pleasant and easygoing in the central role, toning down a lot of the manic behaviour he exhibited in earlier films like The Man With The One Red Shoe and About Last Night. With such films as Curly Sue and Only the Lonely, he entered more of mainstream Hollywood romantic dramas. Michael Caine is, as always, genial as Mr Destiny. There is a good supporting cast including Jon Lovitz as his best friend, Hart Bochner as the smooth and manipulative executive, Linda Hamilton (Beauty and the Beast, the Terminator films) as his wife and Renee Russo (One Good Cop, Lethal Weapon 3) as the daughter of the boss.
There is nothing particularly new about the film or its treatment - however, it is the easygoing fable that audiences can sit back and enjoy - and get the point about the consequence of choices and being satisfied with the world that they find themselves in and the choices that they have made.
1.The blend of realism and fantasy? A fantasy about the American way of life? For non-American audiences?
2.The American city, 1970 and the baseball setting, 1990, ordinary homes and suburbs, the workplace, the wealthy homes? Musical score, theme song at the end?
3.The title, the focus on life, the meaning of life, choices?
4.An effective moral fable about life, choices and consequences, imagining another life - and being satisfied with what one takes responsibility for?
5.Larry and James Belushi's presence and style, the introduction with the breaking down of the car, going back to 1970, the build-up to the pitched ball, the split-second, hitting into the gloved hands, everybody silent, the condemnation, Ellen coming to the dressing room and consoling him, his best friend cheering him up with tricks? His marrying Ellen, their love, the house together, trying to get the builder to fix the path and the garden, the cheque, taking it out on Ellen? Going to work, nobody remembering his birthday, his best friend giving him the vomit gift? The executives and their plans for the Japanese? The boss and his being shunted off to play golf? The boss's daughter and her husband and his attraction? Jokes with his best friend and his playing pranks? Ellen and the work for the unions, the lunch? His taking inventory of the stock, meeting Jewel, his father and his roving eye? The birthday and everything going wrong?
6.Waiting for the tow truck, the bar and the lights coming on, meeting Mike, Mike and his conversation, listening, offering him the drink, allowing him the consequences of his choice of succeeding at baseball in 1970?
7.The alternate world and Mike's explanations of the different events and their consequences? Going back home, the path fixed, the policeman not letting him in? Mike's reappearances as taxi driver, at the social, in the mirror and helping him through? Finding his home, Cindy and the kids, the formality of their styles, terror at the meal table? His having to cope with this new way of life - even to the butler's name, his drinks, where the toilets were? His wealth? The cars in the garage? The executives and their kowtowing to the boss, their plans? His father-in-law and his fear of him? The clash with Jewel and her being his mistress? His curiosity about Ellen, finding her? His best friend in terror of him? Home, the birthday party, the speeches, the gift of cheese? The sexual encounter with Cindy? His father and the divorce and his being with the young girl? His trying to change things, saving Cliff from throwing himself from the top of the building, offering him the vice-presidency? The board meeting, the conditions and the concessions to the union, having dinner with Ellen, the French meal, the pizza? His telling her all the stories about her past? Her reconciling with her husband? His spending the night up the tree, afraid of the dog? His decision about the firm, wanting to oust the executives?
8.His waking up, finding Mike again, the real world? The tow truck man, hurrying to the meeting and exposing the executives? Going home, the birthday surprise, Ellen and her love, his best friend, Cindy and her husband turning up, offering him a job for the future?
9.The film ending with the return to 1970, Mike in the stands watching Larry, talking about his choices in the future - and Larry's reaction?
10.A satisfying and enjoyable fable?
