As a film critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that I’ve seen some real duds and some absolute gems during my tenure. One movie that has always been a bit of a conundrum for me is John Landis’ 1991 comedy, “Oscar.
Looking forward to upcoming seasons of Sylvester Stallone’s hit crime drama “Tulsa King,” where he plays a mafia family boss, brings to mind one of the actor’s past gangster roles. By 1991, Sylvester Stallone had already made five “Rocky” films and three “Rambo” movies, establishing himself as an action legend who seemed particularly comfortable on set when he was delivering blows – or more accurately, taking them down. This is why his next venture, playing the lead in the comedy “Oscar,” directed by renowned comedy filmmaker John Landis (“Animal House,” “The Blues Brothers,” “Coming to America”), was quite a surprise.
What Happened to ‘Oscar?’
1930s New York City serves as the backdrop for the movie Oscar, which is a modern reinterpretation of the 1976 French film with the same title. Originally based on the play by Claude Magnier, this film, directed by Landis, draws inspiration from the classic screwball comedies of Old Hollywood. The story revolves around Angelo “Snaps” Provolone, a mob boss (portrayed by Stallone), who vows to abandon criminal activities following a deathbed promise to his father. However, transitioning into legitimate business proves to be a challenge, and his life becomes even more complex as he seeks a suitable husband for his daughter.
The movie abounds with physical comedy and charming character portrayals; stars like Tim Curry, Don Ameche, Marisa Tomei, Chazz Palminteri, Kurtwood Smith, Harry Shearer, and even Kirk Douglas are all part of the cast. The film, titled Oscar, offers a type of slapstick comedy typical of the Depression era, but it seems that viewers in the early ’90s found it slightly off-target, with most critics concurring with this assessment.
‘Oscar’ Totally Bombed
Back in the day, I found myself involved with a movie called “Oscar,” which unfortunately didn’t resonate well with audiences upon its release. It managed to pull only about two-thirds of its $35M budget at the box office, making it one of Sylvester Stallone’s lesser-known films. The criticism primarily focused on Joe Dante, who was applauded for his brave attempt at comedic farce but heavily criticized for its delivery. Many viewers felt that the humor seemed forced rather than naturally funny.
Initially, Al Pacino was Leonard Landis’ preferred actor for the role of Snaps. He might have blended better with the storyline, but he declined the offer to star in Warren Beatty’s 1930s film, “Dick Tracy” instead. Stallone later admitted that taking on the role in “Oscar” wasn’t his best decision and expressed regret over playing the character more comically than seriously. Interestingly, despite a negative response at its premiere (and still today, with a low 12% score on Rotten Tomatoes), “Oscar” managed to gain respect from renowned film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert of that era.
Siskel & Ebert Were Fans From the Start
For several decades, Siskel and Ebert were well-respected movie critics who had extensive knowledge and experience. They weren’t shy about expressing their views, even if they went against popular opinion. Their opinions carried weight, and it was surprising to many when they found merit in the film Oscar that others seemed to miss. On their television show called At the Movies, these two experts examined the movie, awarding it a commendable “two thumbs up.” They acknowledged that the initial 20 minutes of the film were rather poor but praised its quick recovery and eventual redemption by the end – a difficult accomplishment. Ebert shared his experience watching the film:
Throughout the film, I found myself chuckling non-stop. And then, at its conclusion, I sat there in awe, uttering, “I can’t believe it, but this movie managed to flip itself around.” Truth be told, it’s an impressive piece of work. It’s humorous, no doubt about it.
Siskel & Ebert Credit the Supporting Cast of ‘Oscar’
A significant portion of the acclaim for this duo stemmed from the skillfully created side characters and the amusing performances delivered by the actors portraying them. To quote Siskel, “Stallone is alright as the main character, I suppose, but it’s the eccentric supporting cast, those characters who keep popping in and out, that truly make Oscar worth watching.
These performances included Marisa Tomei in one of her first major roles (Tomei won an Oscar for My Cousin Vinny the following year). She played Snaps’ spoiled and waspy daughter, Lisa, who fakes a pregnancy to get out from under her father’s thumb. Other highlights include Tim Curry starring as a speech therapist and a potential suitor for Lisa, whom Siskel and Ebert dubbed the movie’s funniest character, Martin Ferrero and Harry Shearer as the “quarreling tailors,” the Finucci brothers, and a slew of others.
Over time, newer spectators appear to lean towards Siskel and Ebert’s perspective, appreciating the wit in the movie Oscar. Initially, when asked in 2006 about unfulfilling projects, Sylvester Stallone mentioned Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot as the one he regretted, with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s deception being a significant factor. However, even his own sentiments have evolved. He now acknowledges that the timing of its release might have influenced the negative reviews, confessing in 2022 to ComicBook.com, “Perhaps it was too abrupt a shift from Rambo to that, but I enjoy doing dramatic roles like that.
Modern-day commentators have joined forces in defending Oscar, particularly when discussing its relevance today. Lee Pfeiffer from Cinema Retro stated, “It has matured beautifully, and I found it charming all the way through,” illustrating that revisiting a work can significantly alter one’s perspective. We wholeheartedly concur with Pfeiffer’s heartfelt suggestion to viewers: “Take a chance on it, won’t you?
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-16 06:03