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Stir Crazy


Look at these two faces. Don't you just love them already?

Skip Donahue and Harry Monroe are two life-long friends whose lives aren't going the way they wanted. Skip isn't making a penny on playwriting, and Harry just got fired from his waiter job. But Skip gets what initially sounds like a very good idea: travel to Hollywood and start over! But just as they get a new job, they are framed for armed robbery when two criminals steal their bird costumes. They go to prison, but they are here and they are Bustin' Loos- whoops, wrong movie.

Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor has to be the most brilliant comedy pairing in cinema history. Their energetic yet very different acting styles mesh together fantastically, and makes this film as memorable as it is.
Already at the start when one of the cooks in the kitchen accidentally gives the guests Harry's hard grass, I am laughing already. His reaction both over how hard it was to obtain and what will happen if the guests get high is hysterical. Gene Wilder's first scene is similiarly uproarious when he keeps following an actress in hopes of casting her in one of his plays, where he's blissfully unaware of the provocative nature of his comments. Wilder showcases such a friendly innocence that he's as endearing as he is hilarious.

But I don't think any part got to me more than when the two of them are going to prison and have to act "tough" to survive. Their over-the-top mannerisms with Harry walking in a very exaggerated manner and Skip making ninja sound effects made me laugh so hard I snorted. That's an accomplishment generated from a truly brilliant comedian.

Skip and Harry's personality differences contrast in really funny ways where Skip is forced to take every beating with a smile on his face but suffers in agony whenever the deputy Ward Wilson is out of sight... while Harry doesn't even try to mask his angst and flips out at every turn.

While Wilder and Pryor absolutely steal the show though, it's helped even more by a great supporting cast. Joel Brooks is likeable as Len Garber, the optimistic lawyer, and JoBeth Williams is cute as a button in the role of Meredith, cousin of the lawyer. We also have Craig T. Nelson, but he's not playing opposite of JoBeth. Instead, he goes against type and plays a real bastard of a deputy who makes Skip and Harry's time in jail hell. He's so entertaining in his sadistic obsession with making sure they don't come out as strongwilled heroes in any way. This guy isn't interested in being a Coach.
Finally, my mentions go to Miguel Ángel Suárez and Erland van Lidth, who later become very important to the plot. I don't want to spoil too much, but Erland was wonderful as the large brute who's hard on first glance, but a very gentle and trusted companion once you get to know him. He makes a memorable entrance in the jail cafeteria, where everyone gets scared shîtless and run away from him.

It's true as with baby plot-heavy comedies however that the laughs are not quite as frequent in the third act. And normally this is a huge draw for me. But in this case, even though I still wish there had been a few more gags thrown in, it works. It actually gets a bit suspenseful and you're wondering if the convoluted plan these pals come up with will work. The directing is very skillful, where you have characters popping in and out of various places seamlessly. Tom Scott's score also helps increase the tension.

The love story between Skip and Meredith works so well even though they only get to see each other on brief visits, simply because he's such a charmer. Who could say no to that sweet face and such genuine, tender affection. When JoBeth jumps up with glee when Skip remembers to invite her to his next play, you smile together with them. Even Len who was confused at first over the blooming connection between them lets out a chuckle.

This is a classic feel-good comedy worth watching whenever you need some cheering up. Don't forget to check out See No Evil, Hear No Evil as well!