THE LOVE BUG
US, 1997, 88 minutes, Colour.
Bruce Campbell, John Hannah, Dean Jones, Alexandra Wentworth, Kevin J.O' Connor, Dana Gould, Harold Gould, Mickey Dolenz, Burton Gilliam, Clarence Williams III.
Directed by Peyton Reed
The Love Bug is something of a remake of the original Disney film of 1968, a great hit and a family classic. It is the story of a small Volkswagen who has extraordinary powers – explained in this film by the work of a German scientist who was brought to America after World War II and commissioned to make a special car. He did so, but secretly, with a special ingredient, a framed photo of his beloved wife falling into the mix, and endowing the Volkswagen with personal characteristics and powers.
As this telemovie opens, Herbie is being driven by a callow wealthy driver, played with over the top disdain by John Hannah. Herbie is discarded but is the only car left in the competition for who is the best mechanic. Hank Cooper is a former driver who is about to be fired his boss, Clarence Williams, but is given the opportunity to work on Herbie who responds well and wins the competition.
This raises the ire of affluent Simon whose fawning associate, Rupert, tracks down the inventor who is commissioned to make a new car – which, as we all know, will have a photo of Simon himself, giving the black Volkswagen a demonic character. We also know that there will be a final race between the two and that Simon will lose – to the rival he looked down on, Hank, his assistant and carer for Herbie, Roddy, and his past love, and now a journalist, Alex.
While John Hannah is the sneering villain, Bruce Campbell, best known for the Evil Dead films, rather lacks charisma as the hero driver. Alexandra Wentworth is the journalist.
Memories of her former driver, Jim, means that they look him up, giving Dean Jones the possibility for a pleasant cameo role.
1. The popularity of The Love Bug and its several sequels? In the 1960s and 1970s?
2. This film a version for the 1990s? More modern times, upbeat, stronger cars, more competitiveness?
3. The American settings, driving arenas, garages, the arts show, the highways in the race? The special effects for the race, stunts for Herbie? For Horace? The musical score?
4. The imagination with Herbie, a car with personal powers? Signalling with lights and sounds, computed communicating is attitudes?
5. Simon, the villain, losing the race in Herbie, his anger, Rupert as his assistant, treating him badly, Rupert and his fawning attitude, his seeing Herbie’s performance, wanting to find out, going to the art exhibition, stealing the key, Rupert finding the inventor, the meeting and discussion, commissioning the car, Rupert bringing his portrait to put in the mix, the key, the emergence of Horace?
6. Hank, former driver, falling out with Alex, her talking about cars all the time, his wanting something more? His manager threatening to fire him? Roddy and his enthusiasm? The competition, his getting Herbie, working on Herbie, the wheelies and the performance and his winning, everyone coming to get work done at the garage?
7. Hank, lacking in personality, teaming up again with Alex, the misunderstandings, falling out? Roddy and his affection for Herbie, explaining it to Hank?
8. The challenge, Simon wanting to win, the bet and the taking over of the other car by the winner? The team working to prepare Herbie?
9. The race, the rivalries, Simon and his modifications, the screw and the flat tyre, the grenades, the finale and cutting Herbie in half?
10. The group’s decision to go on, the cutting of Herbie in half, Roddy crossing the line first, Horace going through the two parts, down into the dam, the
explosion – and the police arresting Simon for misdemeanours?
11. And happy ending for everyone else?
