A black comedy goof on the Faust legend & not the disaster you'd think considering its reputation. Beau Bridges sells his soul to loony Richard Burton in return for untold riches. Whether or not Burton is actually the devil is never disclosed, though he does come through for Bridges with most of his wishes. Elizabeth Taylor (deeply tanned & entirely miscast) is Jimmie Jean Jackson(!), a blowzy hash house waitress along for the ride. The script is not without some laughs (Bridges meeting the Pope is hilarious) and the acting is pretty good. Burton is suitably malevolent and Bridges is perfect as a dim-witted hillbilly in way over his head. Peter Ustinov, who directed, plays Burton's doctor. Taylor is OK, but far too old for her role. Someone like Candy Clark or Karen Black would have been perfect. With Anthony Holland, George Raft and John Schuck (very funny as a not so bright Texas billionaire).
Review of Hammersmith Is Out
