I've seen this film five times since it was first released.
As I grow in age and watch this movie, I feel almost robbed that I wasn't either around, or old enough to appreciate the pure genius that both Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor held.
This film is about a blind man (played wonderfully by Richard Pryor) who's down on his luck and in need of a job. Luckily for him, a deaf newsstand owner (played with all the comic gusto he can muster by Gene Wilder) happens to be hiring.
Pryor owes a bookie big time, and when the bookie comes looking for him at his new place of employment, chaos ensues because he's murdered. Wally (Pryor) doesn't see it, and Dave (Wilder) doesn't hear it. The murderers get away and Dave and Wally are suspected. Their misson: clear their name.
Craziness and hilarity ensue.
Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor are two highly underrated talents before the camera. The adventures that these two poor characters go through is something that a wide audience can enjoy. The use of two ailments such as deafness and blindness is not exploited or made fun of, just used for great comic timing and situations.
If you're a fan of great comedy, and pretty good action that features two comic geniuses, I highly suggest this film.
The last effort that sank like a stone
Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor were one of the funniest duos in history. They played off each other's neuroses, shortcomings and antics so well. This movie has its moments, but alas, it was dampened by a weak plot and a premise too silly to be believed.
Gene is deaf, Richard is blind. Much of that material of mishap writes itself. Richard's health was clearly deteriorating and it shows by his weight lose and lack of energy, now he's so crippled by MS he can't even talk. Gene is funny and lovable as ever, but you wonder if he's having as much fun as he's supposed to because of Richard's off camera antics. That one scene where he clearly had a hard on for that gal was pretty funny, and there are a few good one liners and scenes here and there, but it's a weak story with a dull ending. This would be the last time they would team up together, and for obvious reasons they didn't want to go back.
The funniest movie ever!
This was simply the funniest movie I've ever seen and I laughed my ass off the entire time! I thought every moment was funny and those 2 make the best pair on Earth!!
Sidney Poitier directed--without much distinction, sorry to say--this 1980 comedy teaming Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor as New York knuckleheads who try their luck in California and are accused of robbing a bank. Most of the laughs concern their survival strategies in prison (at one point, Wilder decides to "reach out and talk" to some hulking murderer) and their plans to escape. Both performers are so brilliant in any situation that they give this film plenty of funny moments (one or two of which became instantly classic), but this is not exactly a film for the ages. --Tom KeoghMore Info about this DVD Actor(s): Gene Wilder - Richard Pryor Director(s): Sidney Poitier DVD Release Date: Released the 28 August 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Despite the presence of hack director Arthur Hiller, this hybrid comedy-thriller works most of the time as pleasant faux Hitchcock. Gene Wilder is a book editor who is relaxing by taking a cross-country train ride. Then he gets caught up in a murder--and becomes a suspect. It's up to him to prove his own innocence. As noted, the script, by Colin Higgins, owes a big debt to Alfred Hitchcock; but the mystery isn't all that mysterious and the comedy isn't all that hilarious--at least not until Richard Pryor shows up, which is at least halfway through the film. Things definitely pick up from there. Jill Clayburgh, as the love interest, is merely along for the train ride. Wilder and Pryor eventually teamed up for several other films, but they were never as funny together as they are in this... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Gene Wilder - Richard Pryor Director(s): Arthur Hiller DVD Release Date: Released the 14 December 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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A last attempt to squeeze some laughs out of the team of Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, Another You mostly conjures up pleasant memories of Silver Streak and Stir Crazy. Pryor plays a con man forced to tend a pathological liar (Wilder), who's immediately mistaken as a missing millionaire--a mistake that could pay off big. The storyline actually holds promise as a classic screwball comedy outline, but the movie doesn't build any snap or crackle, and promising set-ups dribble away. Even the once-electric chemistry between the stars has faded. Wilder displays that eerie sadness and stillness he brings to his comedic roles, but here he looks stranded. Pryor's ferocious talent is muted and his onscreen energy is turned down low; his reliance on easy profanity... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Gene Wilder - Richard Pryor Director(s): Maurice Phillips DVD Release Date: Released the 19 November 2002 Usually ships in 24 hours
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This well-packaged 1983 remake of the French comedy Le Jouet features two legendary actors in an unlikely pairing. Richard Pryor (Live on the Sunset Strip, Stir Crazy) plays a down on his luck writer who is talked into taking a job as a plaything for the spoiled rich kid of billionaire Jackie Gleason (The Hustler), who just can't communicate with his own son. Amidst a constant stream of abuse and slapstick adventures, Pryor manages to bring out the heart in both father and son and bring them closer together, as he fights to retain his own dignity. Director Richard Donner (Superman, Lethal Weapon) concentrates on the outlandish set pieces and wisely leaves the comic timing up to the two old pros, making The Toy an entertaining diversion.... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Richard Pryor - Jackie Gleason Director(s): Richard Donner DVD Release Date: Released the 13 November 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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