The Tall Guy (1989)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Mel Smith

Writer:

Richard Curtis (writer)

Release Date:

21 September 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

Dexter King plays straight man to unpleasant comedian Ron Anderson. He falls in love with Kate, a pretty...

Plot Keywords:

Nurse | Comedian | Love | Sex | Theater Life

Cast

Jeff Goldblum	...	Dexter King
Rowan Atkinson	...	Ron Anderson
Emma Thompson	...	Kate Lemmon
Geraldine James	...	Carmen
Anna Massey	...	Mary
Kim Thomson	...	Cheryl
Hugh Thomas	...	Dr. Karabekian
Emil Wolk	...	Cyprus Charlie
Harold Innocent	...	Timothy
Joanna Kanska	...	Tamara
B.J. Rambo	...	'Elephant' Chorus
Jan Lloyd	...	'Elephant' Chorus
Peter Kelly	...	Gavin
Tim Barlow	...	Mr. Morrow (as Timothy Barlow)
Charles Lamb	...	Old Man in Wheelchair

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company:

London Weekend Television (LWT)

Trivia:

Writer Richard Curtis can be seen briefly - he's the bearded man who Dexter passes on his way to the toilet during his date with Tamara.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In a shower scene late in the movie the camera moves to a high vantage point, showing the shorts that Dexter is wearing.

Quotes:

Ron Anderson: [to Cyprus Charlie] How dare you improvise, you diminutive Mediterranean moron!

Movie Connections:

References Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

Soundtrack:

Let The Heartaches Begin

Elephant!

Jeff Goldblum plays a gawky, downtrodden American actor living in England who plays straight man to an obnoxious, unpleasant comedian. Rowan Atkinson is the obnoxious, unpleasant comedian who torments Jeff. Emma Thompson is a pretty, deadpan nurse who gives Jeff's life hope and meaning when he falls in love with her and vice versa. After parting ways with Atkinson, Jeff lands the lead role in "Elephant!", a musical version of "The Elephant Man", in which he plays, of course, the Elephant Man. Jeff's eternal happiness is nearly thwarted by a cute co-star who threatens his romance with Emma Thompson. Will Jeff come out on top? Of course he does. This isn't "The Fly" after all.

Too long but still very funny, with Jeff well cast as the title character. Atkinson is a great antagonist and Emma Thompson has her moments of inspired deadpan humor. And of course, the actual "Elephant" sequences are a riot.

"Vengeance shall BE MINE!" Jeff as Dexter King, AKA: The Tall Guy.