Film Review: So Fine (1981)

almost 3 years ago

(source: tmdb.org)

It is difficult to escape impression that comedies make disproportionately large section of bad films. This could be explained with the writers thinking of something on the script's pages to be hilariously funny and later finding that the audience don't see it that funny when seen at the big screen. This was something scriptwriter Andrew Bergman experienced with his 1981 directorial debut So Fine.

Protagonist, played by Ryan O'Neal, is Bobby Fine, professor of American Literature at small liberal arts college, where he is candidate for tenure. His professional concerns are temporarily put aside due to a family emergency. His father Jack (played by Jack Warden) owns struggling Manhattan fashion company and his business problems are alleviated with unpaid debt to gigantic loan shark Mr. Eddie (played by Richard Kiel) who insists that he son takes over business. Bobby attempts to help his father, but things get complicated when he meets Eddie's Italian wife Lira (played by Mariangela Melato) and immediately starts affair with her. Mr. Eddie's almost catches them in the act, but Bobby manages to escape, although without his clothes; instead she must wear Lira's clothes, including jeans that happens to snap exposing Bobby's buttocks. In desperation, he covers them with pieces of plastics. When he arrives at Garment District, this is mistaken for a bold fashion statement. Jack sees opportunity in that and his company starts producing "So Fine" jeans that take over country by storm. With company back on its feet, Bobby decides to return to campus. Unfortunately, Eddie finds out about the affair and decides to go after Bobby who, blissfully unaware of that, prepares to watch opera production of Verdi's "Otello".

So Fine, based on the names involved, was supposed to be great comedic hit. Ryan O'Neal was still reasonably big star, his partner Mariangela Melato had delivered great performances in iconic 1970s comedies, soundtrack was composed by Ennio Morricone, Richard Kiel had been an effective half-comic villain in James Bond films and, finally, Bergman as scriptwriter had quite success, which included his work on iconic Blazing Saddles. As a director, Bergman failed miserably in this film. Most of the jokes look forced, repetitive and generally are not that funny. The main problem is with pacing and lack of proper timing, and the work with cast is also bad, with all characters playing their characters as grotesque caricatures. O'Neal lacks chemistry with Melato and Kiel looks more annoying than menacing. Bergman's ineptness made even the models and dancers advertising "see-through" jeans look unattractive. The only bright spot happens near the end, when the farcical finale reaches surreal levels with three characters replicating their love triangle at stage, but Bergman quickly destroys that opportunity with few unnecessary shots and failed jokes. So Fine, unsurprisingly, sank into oblivion and even those viewers who enjoyed it probably remember nothing more than its main gimmick.

RATING: 3/10 (+)