Garry Marshall is one of the most successful filmmakers in the business today. "Nothing in Common," "Pretty Woman," "Runaway Bride," "The Princess Diaries." An impressive string of commercial and critical hits.

Why, then, is his wonderful 1984 coming-of-age comedy being released as the plainest of plain vanilla DVDs?

Go figure.

In Brooklyn, 1963, Jeffrey Willis (Matt Dillon) has just graduated from high school and has only the vaguest plans of college in his future. For the moment, summer has just started and he's open to new ideas. Some friends suggest that they go out to the El Flamingo Beach Club and pick up some pocket change playing gin. Jeffrey is immediately enchanted by this rough-edged paradise. It's a haven for families that have prospered and moved away from his neighborhood, a place for folks who have "made it" and Jeffrey wants his share.

Not the least of the El Flamingo's attractions is Carla Samson (Janet Jones), the stunning blonde who's visiting from exotic California. Her entrance in a tight white one-piece is a moment worthy of comparison to Julie Adams in "Creature from the Black Lagoon" and Elizabeth Taylor in "Suddenly, Last Summer." Be prepared to hit the pause and slow-motion buttons at about the 3:20 mark of chapter 2.

The real point of the film, though, is the conflict between Jeffrey's father (frequent Marshall collaborator Hector Elizondo) and Phil Brody (Richard Crenna), a flashy manipulative car salesman who sees something of himself—something he's lost—in the young man.

The best scenes have the quality of a good Jean Shepard story with honest nostalgia and carefully chosen details. And the big confrontation between Elizondo and Crenna might be based on fact. Performances are excellent across the board. Dillon was only 20 years old when he made the film, so he looks right for the part, and his combination of inexperience and enthusiasm seems completely unforced. Also, notice how much Jessica Walter does with her small role.

The DVD

Video:

Given the nature of the story, the soft-focus, warm and rosy look should be no surprise. The film looks the way it's always looked, with only insignificant surface nicks, and that's fine. I might give a slight edge to the full-frame version on a conventional monitor over the widescreen, but the differences are minimal.

Sound:

Dolby mono will sound weak to those who expect the fullness of Surround and it doesn't do much for a solid-gold oldies soundtrack. It is, however, completely accurate to the early '60s.

Extras:

English, French and Spanish subs are the extent of the extras. Not even a trailer.

Final Thoughts:

As enjoyable as the movie is, the disc is a missed opportunity. Even so, the price is right and it's well worth owning.