MovieChat Forums > Unconditional Love (2002) Discussion > Dan Aykroyd ...

Dan Aykroyd ...

posted 17 years ago by wmjahn
12 replies | jump to latest

... has made hardly anything worth remembering since his time with John Belushi, but this small role he has here is GREAT and better than anything he has made in the last app. 20 yers.

The opening scene, when he explains Kathy Bates his wish for a divorce and reasons, is hilarious, superbly acted (downplayed, lovely) and contains some of the best dialogue heard in the last couple of yaers in US movies.

The WHOLE MOVIE is great and deserves 10 of 10 ! (and it was just aired in late night TV and I would have nearly missed/overlooked it).

[–] Fleurus 10 years ago

Dan Aykroyd has made hardly anything worth remembering since his time with John Belushi

Except "Trading Places", surely !

[–] wmjahn 10 years ago

Yes, you are right, TRADING PLACES is still very good and fun to watch (of course, what else to expect from a movie by John Landis?!!). :-)

My intro in my OP was maybe a little harsh or unprecise. Let´s say the last app. 20 years were not too kind to Mr. Aykroyd, movie-wiese (otherwise I don´t know), because he just doesn´t get that many great meaty roles offered anymore (which he would - if given the chance - still be able to handle, I guess), BUT shortly after J.B. untimely death, he still had some nice ones here and there: not only Trading PLaces is great, but also SPIES LIKE US, DRAGNET, THE COUCH TRIP and THE GREAT OUTDOORS- although not great - do have their moments.

[–] Fleurus 10 years ago

And "Driving Miss Daisy"

[–] wmjahn 10 years ago

Yes ... on an "objective basis" it is a good movie, I guess, but I am not really that keen on these "old nice people" weepies. I don´t wanna sound unfriendly or unkindly, but this just isn´t my cup of tea.

When I watch "old people", I love to see W.C. Fields, ill mannered, impolite and bad mooded old people. :-)) No harm intended!!

[–] Fleurus 10 years ago

Miss Daisy, an nice old lady ? Ha ha ! That's a good one !

But I am like you, I prefer horrible old people in films. Check out "Tatie Danielle" :
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100747/combined : a really nasty old bag but so funny to watch !

[–] wmjahn 10 years ago

Yes, "Tatie Danielle" is a good one!

You probably know this one here, it´s a classic with a lovely old lady, but BEWARE of the re-make with Tom Hanks. I mean LADYKILLERS from 1955: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048281/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

On to sth. completely different. :-)
any sleepers you can recommend, I mean little known movies that really blow you away. Here´s a start:
ever heard of LONG WEEKEND from 1978?!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079482/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
you gotta watch this at night WITHOUT break (so no going to the toilet, no phone calls, turn the phone off, just watch this movie, it´s a killer. It starts slow, on purpose, of course, but it takes a grip you can´t get away from. This movie you will remember forever (esp. the ending).
And here is the SUPER-RARE case in which the re-amke is - no, not better - but equally good as the original:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1098356/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Nevertheless start with the original, you find it full-length on youtube. Enjoy or better: happy frightening: :-)

[–] Fleurus 10 years ago

"The ladykillers" : a masterpiece of dark comedy ; hilarious !
As is "Kind Hearts and Coronets"

OK. I'll watch the "Long Weekend" when I'm back home from holidays and the crowd ( my extended family )
I enjoy a good thriller but I need to watch one in peace ; normally a quiet afternoon in complete darkness...

[–] wmjahn 10 years ago

Absolutely hilarious!

Yes, I also like KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS, I am in fact a big fan of the early and middle Oliver REED, a real testosteron-guy, amazing.
You MUST watch the following comedies and this dark thriller:

THE SYSTEM
a gem, a wonderful comedy, brit calssic and a sleeper, hardly known, but one of his best early movies, fantastic sharp dialogue

THE PARTY´S OVER
a stark, a bit deprfessing look on Brits youth in the 60ies, long forgotten, but amazing movie, great score!

and a gritty thriller
SITTING TARGET

The first two are on youtube, the first one twice, one print is better/clearer than the other

Yes, a long quiet weekend afternoon is the best time to watch THE LONG WEEKEND! :-)

[–] Fleurus 10 years ago

OK, I'll watch them ; I made a note listing all the films you gave me. Thank you !

[–] wmjahn 10 years ago

I hope I am not cutting too deep in your spare-time-budget, but bet on this, those movies are indeed very worth watching, without hurry of course. :-)

[–] e827 10 years ago

The opening scene, when he explains Kathy Bates his wish for a divorce and reasons, is hilarious, superbly acted (downplayed, lovely) and contains some of the best dialogue heard in the last couple of yaers in US movies.

You thought that scene was hilarious?

It wasn't even supposed to be funny.

[–] wmjahn 10 years ago

Then I must have a weired sense of humor, I guess. :-)

Honestly, I left that comment a couple of years ago and can´t recall the details of the scene anymore, but I guess I must have found it funny. Hope to see it again on TV some time.