Fun With Dick and Jane

I wondered why Jane Fonda would choose to make a caper movie in the New Hollywood 70s, but the satirical streak soon shines though. The movie is filmed in an early-sixties style throughout which is subverted by the grim realities of being dispossessed in the seventies. I didnt find it especially entertaining but it is very clever and has some funny moments

Now I had never heard of the original film till I read about it in Empire. From that alone I made my decision to rent this title mainly to see/hear a particular joke. Once that was out of the way I was left with two thirds of the movie to still get through. Apart from the occansional chuckle (the various heists were the best parts for me) I really didn't gel with this film. I can only put that down to the leads as I don't think they really work for me, it has also sadly aged quite badly.

It certainly was much sharper lines then most of the comtemparies comedies but that just wasn't enough for me.

Dick harper loses his highly-paid job as a aerospace exec. The race to the moon is over and done with, and nobody is spending money any more on space hardware. But, it's tough out on the streets, due to an economic recession he cannot get another equivalently paid job.

After a brief foray into the land of welfare cheating he decides that his only recourse is to take to a life of crime. His wife, Jane, having failed at getting a job of her own (something we gather she never needed to do before) is not keen on Dick's new "business" venture. However, after several botched attempts they pull off a hiest and temporarily solve their immediate financial problems.

But, it's not long before the financial sharks are circling again and what was supposed to be a one-off event becomes a regular thing, robbery after robbery. They get pretty good at it, until they rob a scam-preacher and almost get caught. This makes them both take stock of their wicked ways!

Finally, Dick remembers that - at the company which fired him - there is always a secret slush fund in a safe. Hundreds of thousands of dollars! Jane remembers that they have been invited to a party at the company. They make plans. This will be the big one, the last robbery they will ever need to do. But, can they pull it off....?

Fun with Dick and Jane is just what it says on the packet - fun. Don't stop and think about the plot for too long and you will enjoy it enormously. Unlike the Carey remake, almost 30 years later, the leading stars screen personalities bolster, rather than impede the plot progression and the supporting players are mostly excellent. Sure, it's dated in places, sure the plot is shot full of holes if you stop and think about it, but the pacing is pretty fast, the jokes are still funny, the photography is excellent and the stars agreeable.

One of several magic comedy moments is when they hold up a restaurant. The waiter asks them: "How was the food folks?" Dick pulls out his gun and the waiter says "That bad huh?"

So what about the DVD itself? Hmm, well there is the original trailer, but that's it for extras. I felt that the movie itself was okay, but probably could have been better. The opening titles sequence (but not the main movie) is actually pretty poor for a film of this age, slightly grainy and damaged. Wonder why that is? I've seen this on TV and the opening titles were okay then. Presumably whoever put this DVD together has access to the original master - so no excuse for this.

So, recommendation? Yes, if you like light comedy and you like Segal and Fonda then I would recommend this to you. Suspend your disbelief, don't nitpick and let it carry you along - you'll have a good time.

Although some aspects are clearly dated and now to be compared to a 2000's remake, this film is very watchable and I enjoyed it very much. The plot is ludicrous but once you get over this the film is extremely good fun. If nothing else it is worth viewing for the hilarious seventies characatures you will witness.

The original Fun with Dick and Jane is an essential for anyone who loves their madcap comedies. Starring George Segal and the wonderful Jane Fonda (who gives a strong comedic performance), this film tells the story of Dick and Jane Harper who turn to burglary to maintain their comfortable lifestyle. Although the Jim Carrey / Tea Leoni remake is not bad, it is still not a patch on this.