LOST & FOUND
US, 1999, 95 minutes, Colour.
David Spade, Sophie Marceau, Patrick Bruel, Artie Lange, Martin Sheen.
Directed by Jeff Pollack.
The success of this film will depend mainly on whether the audience likes comedian David Spade or not. During the 1990s he appeared in two films with Christopher Farley, Tommy Boy and Black Sheep which both acquired a strong comic reputation, but this ended with the overdose death by Christopher Farley. Lost and Found is an early film for David Spade on his own. He is more noted for television appearances and the Joe Dirt films.
Spade capitalises on his short stature and his being put upon as well as deadpan jokes, pratfalls and physical humour.
The film opens with his being rejected by his girlfriend, a stripper in a club. He actually owns a restaurant which, given the behind-the-scenes upsets, it is surprising that it is so successful. With his friends, his plans for expansion.
However, the main story of the film is his meeting his French neighbour, Lila. She is played with some enthusiasm and verve by Sophie Marceau. At the time, many reviewers expressed surprise at her presence in this kind of film but, she seems to be enjoying herself, reinforced at the end where the cast dances exuberantly during the credits, including herself. Her character is escaping from France and former boyfriend, Patrick Bruel, who also turns up in California, clashes with Spade and is humiliated at the end with a comic moment where a young boy accuses him of molesting him in an aircraft toilet, something which audiences are more sensitive to given the publicity since that time of the world learning about sexual abuse prevalence.
Much of the action concerns Spade’s searching for Lila’s dog, who also swallows an important ring – and the audience can anticipate what is going to happen there.
Towards the end, Martin Sheen appears as the president of the bank with Spade wanting a loan – and the screenplay gives him the opportunity to win it because Neil Diamond is expected at the banquet and Spade does an improvised performance which is a great success.
So, an example of American humour and of David Spade’s humour.
1. A 90s comedy? The comedy of David Spade? The surprising French presence?
2. California, apartments, streets and beaches, restaurants, society galas? The Hollywood Bowl?
3. The musical score – and the Neil Diamond impersonation?
4. The comedy style of David Spade, small, put upon, yet assertive? Unlucky in love? Yet his skill and his work, the restaurant, relating to people? The plans for the restaurant? The rejection by the stripper? His infatuation with Lila, helping her with the dog? The clashes with René? The deadpan remarks? The physical humour? The interactions with Wally, the misunderstandings? The time with the dog, the loss of the ring, recovering it? His encouragement of Lila? The Hollywood Bowl? The request for the loan, the plans? Catering for the function? The impersonation of Neil Diamond, success with the boss’s wife?
5. The presence of Sophie Marceau, escaping from friends, relationship with René? Playing the cello, her awkwardness, self-effacing? In California, the dog getting away, Dylan recovering it? René and his pursuit? Dylan taking her to the Hollywood Bowl? At the function, René to introduce her to the conductor? The recovery of the dog, hearing Dylan explain – and her rejection of him? The later reconciliation?
6. René, the French womaniser, pursuing Lila? Antagonism towards Dylan? The issue of the dog, the offer of the reward? His finding it, refusing the money? Promising Lila the interview, his failing? The issue of the dog, its discovery? His attempt at attracting Lila – and his being naked? His comeuppance? The boy accusing him in the plane?
7. Dylan and his friends, Wally, his size, awkward, at the house, being mistaken for partners? Searching for the dog? Finding the dog? Support of Dylan? Dylan’s friend, the meal, the ring, minding it, the dog swallowing it, the attempts to get the ring back, the awkwardness? Delivering it and making his friend happy?
8. The bank, the sycophantic assistant, the boss, Dylan’s appeal for the loan, Dylan saving the day with Neil Diamond, and the promise of the loan?
9. Happy ending, Dylan and Lila together – credible or not?
10. The cast dancing exuberantly during the final credits?
