MovieChat Forums > High Spirits (1988) Discussion > Nobody think it was a lousy flick?

Nobody think it was a lousy flick?

posted 13 years ago by PurpleProseOfCairo
11 replies | jump to latest

I did - I saw it on VHS when it came out in the Eighties, vaguely remember enjoying it, then again today on cable and couldn't believe how bad it was (in my opinion, you understand). It was so incredibly broad and unsubtle, all that Paddywhackery with an Irish Chorus of retards in the background flying around on wires and smashing the place up while the "normal" actors did their thing out front. So breathless and noisy, with "something going on" all the time taking the place of actual wit or a good script. I would never tire of watching Beverly D'Angelo, however.

I realise everyone contributing here seems to love it, but I always go to a movie's board whether I love or loathe it.

Awight we're The Daamned we're a punk baand and this is called Carn't Be Appy T'day!

[–] smiscandlon 13 years ago

For what it's worth, I agree.

I had (vaguely) fond memories of it from the Eighties, and when I spotted it in the TV schedules last night my girlfriend said "I LOVE High Spirits!" so we watched it.

But yeah, turns out we both found it noisy, annoying and frankly a bit stupid. It's full of awful, irritating characters who largely run about shouting and I think it was only a sense of stubbornness that stopped us turning it off halfway through.

Definitely hasn't stood the test of time.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 7 years ago

I'm writing this six years in the future to tell you that it has definitely passed my test of time. How ironic: I'm writing this to a ghost.

[–] CannibalCraig 13 years ago

I was about 7 when this came out. Saw it in the theaters. I loved it. Thought it was absolutely hilarious. I was also surprised to find out this was directed by Neil Jordan (Interview with a Vampire, The Crying Game, etc). Apparently he didn't have much to do with the editing process and the theatrical version is drastically different from what he directed. Nevertheless, I thought it was great, but the film was a flop. I think it deserves it's cult classic status though.

I'm just a guy that likes horror flicks.

[–] bsump_98 13 years ago

It is a cult classic and ever since I was a child I have loved it. It can be annoying especially Beverly d'Angelo but the rest of the cast is pretty funny and the story is simple to follow though there are several plot holes. Yet remember this is not a thought provoking film that needs to be pondered and debated to a certain degree. It just is meant to be a fun and funny film to watch and it is an escape from reality for about an hour and a half. If you don't like it it may not fit your taste for movies and I do feel sorry for you.

[–] ShipperWar 13 years ago

Saw this film for the first time since I was about 10 years old and I gotta say... it wasn't as good as I remembered it being. Very disappointed.

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[–] PurpleProseOfCairo 12 years ago

Wow, bsump, no need to feel SORRY for someone who's tastes aren't the same as yours! I love knockabout, non-thought-inducing movies, from Hellzapoppin', through It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World to the Dumb/Dumber movies - I just didn't like this one! I found the humour too forced - and when you realise I have just compared it unfavourably to a Jim Carrey movie that is really saying something!

Awight we're The Daamned we're a punk baand and this is called Carn't Be Appy T'day!

[–] Lokisgodhi 9 years ago

Lousy flick? Not in the slightest. It was a fairly big film when it came out in theaters.

It's biggest problem was that it's major star, Steve Guttenberg, faded from major A lister to 'who the fùçk is Steve Guttenberg?' by the early 1990s. Without Guttenberg continued exposure to keep his back catalog of films alive, High Spirits faded with him.

Hannah, the lead female star, faded out as well at virtually the same time as Guttenberg. Peter O'Toole, the third name above the title name, was and is a legend but hardly a box office draw by the 1990s. So neither carried it as back catalog material either.

The fourth star, D'Angelo also faded out as lead star in major films by the early 1990s was not even mentioned on the video title so provided no draw. She also effectively stopped being cast in major films after 1990 or so.

Liam Neeson was several levels below them as an actor and didn't become a major star until years after this was made. He also wasn't on the cover either on this film, which is what mattered in video rentals during the 1990s.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 7 years ago

Right on. "Police Academy" Gutenberg should not have been cast.

But the presence of Jennifer Tully enhances any movie.

And it was released in the 80s, not the 90s. In 1985, three years before the release of HS, O'Toole starred in a huge box office comedy, My Favorite Year. The New Yorker's legendary film critic (CRITIC, not reviewer) Pauline Karel, could not stop raving about it. "O'Toole is a revelation!"

[–] phantomF-12 9 years ago

Lousy? I found it enjoyable. Not excellent mind you, but definitely good to pass some odd 90 minutes with a nice little tale.

[–] Heroforsale1959 9 years ago

I am in the "loved it" camp personally, but know a lot of people who dislike the film.

Si vis pacem, para bellum

[–] R_Kane (15828) 7 years ago

And I'm watching it right now, AGAIN, for like the 50th time and thoroughly enjoying it, so, yes, it has stood the R_Kane test of time.

Do you think that PurpleProseOfCairo is even still alive?

Keep in mind that Neil Jordan is an esteemed director among people who actually know something about movies, so it's hard to dismiss something he did out of hand, even if the studio did fuck with the editing. In addition to the Jordan films already mentioned in this thread, he's directed two of the finest occult movies I've seen: The Company of Wolves, the best werewolf movie I have seen, and Byzantium, the best vampire movie I have seen.

Also keep in mind that O'Toole had revealed his talent as a MAJOR comic actor 6 years before this movie, in My Favorite Year. The New Yorker's legendary critic, Pauline Kael, wrote a rave review of his performance. I believe that High Spirits was O'Toole's next comedy, and he shows the same comic chops, so, again, among people with taste, there is every reason to respect and enjoy High Spirits. The mystery for me is HOW THE FUCK did Steve Police Academy Gutenberg get cast in this? A whoopi cushion would've been a better choice. But add in the presence of Beverly D'Angelo, Daryl Hannah (who looks nothing like a boy unless you are gay) and Jennifer Tilly, and you've got my attention for the next 90 minutes.