THE TALL GUY
UK, 1989, 92 minutes, Colour.
Jeff Goldblum, Emma Thompson, Rowan Atkinson, Geraldine James, Anna Massey.
Directed by Mel Smith
The Tall Guy is an offbeat British comedy, from the people who made such zany programs as Not the Nine O'clock News and Black Adder 3. The film was directed by comedian Mel Smith (Alas, Smith & Jones, Morons from Outer Space). He also does a small guest role as a drunk fan.
However, the film is Jeff Goldblums. Goldblum is an effective serious actor (The Fly, The Right Stuff) as well as comedian (Earth Girls are Easy, Beyond Therapy). He is well supported by Emma Thompson (Henry V) as the seemingly British nurse Ratchet, combined with Mary Poppins. Rowan Atkinson, a very effective comedian, is given a most unsympathetic role as the West End star who is completely obnoxious.
There are some very funny sequences skitting theatre life and television in England, especially a send up of Andrew Lloyd Webber's style of musical with a musicalised version of The Elephant Man complete with Phantom-like echoes and songs. However, there is also a great deal of rather crass and crude comedy which does not sit so well with the satire. A mixed comedy.
1. The quality of the comedy? British style? American hero? Satric and black comedy? Spoof of London theatre?
2. The London locations, the hospitals, the flats, the streets, the theatre? Authentic atmosphere?
3. The Rowan Atkinson comic routines, the world of the theatre, the parody with "Elephant"? The songs, the choreography, the grand finale with the achievement of The Elephant Man?
4. Jeff Goldblum as the American in London, type, pleasant, interaction with the English, the stooge for Ron Anderson and his routines? The standup comic? The mistakes in the routine? The ineffectiveness of his life? Hypercondriac, sick, sneezing? His relationships and the comic sex jokes and flashbacks? Carmen and his confiding in her, the wondering men in his flat? Her advice? Going to the hospital, the needles and his fear of them? The doctors and the psychological analysis? Seeing Kate, the change of attitude, willing to have the needles?
5. His seeing Kate, the stories that he made up, the series of needles? The build up to asking her out? Her brisk answers? The meal, the parody of lthe sex romp? Living with her? her work? Carmen and the friendship and the continued succession of men? The auditions and Kate's support? Her brisk work? The success of Elephant? His missing the show with Ron Anderson? The sending up of Ron? His being sacked, the farewell party with Ron drinking the champagne?
6. The effect of life on him, the bossy agent and her suggestions, the auditions for the commercials, the brogue for the TV serial? Auditions for the musical, singing out of key, the emotive producer telling him he had the part? The reading, the rehearsal, the effect? The star and the attraction, her seductive manner, the affair? the build up to the first night, the party, the reaction of the actress, Kate understanding, her gift, the breakup and her leaving? The effect on him?
7. Alone in London, sad, trying to see Kate, the reconciliator the possibility of starting again?
8. Kate as the brisk English nurse, facts and figures, the nature of relationships, dealing with patients, the affair, the outings, her supporting him with the play? Realizing the affair? The challenge? Leaving?
9. Carmen, her background, type, the naked men, the variety of types in her life, supporting him?
10. Ron, the terrible manner, cruel and vain, winning the award? The nature of his skits and their outrageousness? His dislike? The sack? The talk about Prince Charles? With Kate? His reaction on the first night party?
11. The world of the theatre, types, relationships? A blend of the amusing the spoof, the crass?
