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Down and Out in Beverly Hills
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment // R // August 20, 2002
List Price: $19.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
Paul Mazursky's 1986 comedy was quite the box office hit, taking in over $60m and garnering strong reviews. It's been ages since I've seen the movie and I remembered enjoying it in prior viewings. However, watching it again today, it couldn't help but seem a little dated - very 80's - and mildly less interesting. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss and Bette Midler as the Whitemans, a millionare couple who made their fortune in the coat hanger business.
One day, a homeless man named Jerry (Nick Nolte) jumps into their pool in an attempt to kill himself. Dave (Richard Dreyfuss) falls in after him and manages to pull him free and clean him up. Soon enough, the two have become friends and Jerry has sort of become a member of the family. Unfortunately for Dave, Jerry starts causing trouble, as the housekeeper he's been having an affair with falls for him, followed by his daughter and even his wife.
The problem with "Down and Out" is certainly not the casting. Dreyfuss is certainly one of the finest actors out there when it comes to displaying comedic frustration at the troubles his characters find themselves in. Midler is pleasantly less loud and shrill here than she usually is and Nolte makes a rather thinly-defined character sympathetic. Oddly enough, a little dog - one of the most animated I've ever seen in film - gets the most laughs.
However, and this seems more evident now, there's just really not that much to the story. Most of the situations seem rather predictable and obvious, while others (the Dreyfuss character's daughter may have an eating disorder) aren't amusing at all. The movie also seems a little on the long side at 103 minutes - cutting out a good 15 minutes would have helped the pace considerably.
Overall, "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" still manages some amusing moments and witty dialogue, but it's starting to seem on the slow and slight side.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen by Touchstone. As with most of the studio's catalog titles, the presentation is just okay. While there are more concerns than I'd like to see from a film of this age, I've also seen some of the studio's other catalog releases look less pleasing than this one does. Sharpness and detail remained enjoyable, as the picture offered a nicely defined and crisp image throughout.
On the negative side, dirt on the print used was occasionally visible, but more noticable specks and marks were rarely seen. Edge enhancement occasionally appeared and was somewhat noticable, but remained only briefly. Pixelation was not seen at all and only light grain was occasionally apparent.
Colors appeared slightly on the bland side, looking a little washed out at times. Overall, a decent transfer from Touchstone, but the rough edges on the presentation could have been smoothed out.
SOUND: "Down and Out" is presented with its original theatrical 2.0 soundtrack, which sounds okay at best. A completely dialogue-driven comedy, the dialogue sounds rather flat, as does the music.
MENUS: Very bland, basic, non-animated main & sub-menus.
EXTRAS: Sneak peek trailers for "Deuce Bigalow" and "Spy Hard".
Final Thoughts: "Down and Out" isn't quite the movie it used to be, but it still has its moments. Buena Vista/Touchstone's DVD edition is an okay release, with average audio/video quality and little or nothing in the way of supplements. Fans might want to pick it up, but a rental for others.
Paul Mazursky's 1986 comedy was quite the box office hit, taking in over $60m and garnering strong reviews. It's been ages since I've seen the movie and I remembered enjoying it in prior viewings. However, watching it again today, it couldn't help but seem a little dated - very 80's - and mildly less interesting. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss and Bette Midler as the Whitemans, a millionare couple who made their fortune in the coat hanger business.
One day, a homeless man named Jerry (Nick Nolte) jumps into their pool in an attempt to kill himself. Dave (Richard Dreyfuss) falls in after him and manages to pull him free and clean him up. Soon enough, the two have become friends and Jerry has sort of become a member of the family. Unfortunately for Dave, Jerry starts causing trouble, as the housekeeper he's been having an affair with falls for him, followed by his daughter and even his wife.
The problem with "Down and Out" is certainly not the casting. Dreyfuss is certainly one of the finest actors out there when it comes to displaying comedic frustration at the troubles his characters find themselves in. Midler is pleasantly less loud and shrill here than she usually is and Nolte makes a rather thinly-defined character sympathetic. Oddly enough, a little dog - one of the most animated I've ever seen in film - gets the most laughs.
However, and this seems more evident now, there's just really not that much to the story. Most of the situations seem rather predictable and obvious, while others (the Dreyfuss character's daughter may have an eating disorder) aren't amusing at all. The movie also seems a little on the long side at 103 minutes - cutting out a good 15 minutes would have helped the pace considerably.
Overall, "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" still manages some amusing moments and witty dialogue, but it's starting to seem on the slow and slight side.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen by Touchstone. As with most of the studio's catalog titles, the presentation is just okay. While there are more concerns than I'd like to see from a film of this age, I've also seen some of the studio's other catalog releases look less pleasing than this one does. Sharpness and detail remained enjoyable, as the picture offered a nicely defined and crisp image throughout.
On the negative side, dirt on the print used was occasionally visible, but more noticable specks and marks were rarely seen. Edge enhancement occasionally appeared and was somewhat noticable, but remained only briefly. Pixelation was not seen at all and only light grain was occasionally apparent.
Colors appeared slightly on the bland side, looking a little washed out at times. Overall, a decent transfer from Touchstone, but the rough edges on the presentation could have been smoothed out.
SOUND: "Down and Out" is presented with its original theatrical 2.0 soundtrack, which sounds okay at best. A completely dialogue-driven comedy, the dialogue sounds rather flat, as does the music.
MENUS: Very bland, basic, non-animated main & sub-menus.
EXTRAS: Sneak peek trailers for "Deuce Bigalow" and "Spy Hard".
Final Thoughts: "Down and Out" isn't quite the movie it used to be, but it still has its moments. Buena Vista/Touchstone's DVD edition is an okay release, with average audio/video quality and little or nothing in the way of supplements. Fans might want to pick it up, but a rental for others.
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