The face of a Picasso and the body of a Rubens
Added 9/1/2009
A young, fresh-faced Robert Downey Jr. (billed as Robert Downey) was Jack Jericho, the pick up artist. He rehearses his pick up lines in front of his mirror, and refines them constantly. For instance, when the principal of the school he teaches at admonishes him for picking up on his student's mother with a line like, 'you have the face of a Picasso and the body of a Rubens' he can't help but criticize his choice of artists. Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens was known for his fondness for full-figured women, such as his Venus at the Mirror, so saying a woman has the body of a Rubens is tantamount to calling her fat. And Picasso was a cubist, so the face of a Picasso could have facial features in random locations, as in his Dora Maar au Chat or Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. He takes his principle's advice -- not the part about not hitting on anything in a skirt -- the part about Picasso faces and Rubens bodies being less than flattering. He refines his pick up line:
Jack Jericho: Did anyone ever tell you that you have the face of a Botticelli and the body of a Degas?
Writer/Director James Toback reportedly based the Jack character on himself. Jack Jericho is very likeable, except for the fact that he is always hitting on anything with a pulse. He teaches school, and coaches baseball, and he gives his grandmother her diabetes medicine and tries to keep her from scarfing down candy bars. Even if he does try to use the baseball team kids as props, his heart is generally in the right place.
When he meets Randy Jensen (Molly Ringwald) his walls come tumblin' down. She is wise beyond her years but cynical and world weary -- the toll of taking care of her father, Flash (Dennis Hopper), a gambler with huge debts and a drinking problem. Harvey Keitel plays the thug who needs to collect, or else. Randy had to grow up fast to survive, and she sees right through an operator like Jack Jericho, and she'll have none of it. However, the more she shuns him, the harder he chases her. It is nice to see Molly with an edge. She's never been more attractive. She knows when to hold 'em, and she knows when to fold 'em, if you get my drift.
Bottom line, this is a slightly silly romantic comedy, but I was very entertained by it. Downey is bubbling with energy, and Ringwald tries to bring him down, but you can't keep a good Downey down. Hopper was no Frank Booth, but he was still Hopper. Harvey Keitel was no Bad Lieutenant, but he was still Harvey Keitel. Danny Aiello did the right thing, and Lorraine Bracco sang like a soprano.
Speaking of singing, there were some great tunes on the soundtrack, but sadly, the very next day after watching The Pick Up Artist I learned that Ellie Greenwich, who had co-written a lot of them, had just passed away:
"Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)"
Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector
Performed by The Crystals
Produced by Phil Spector
"Do Wah Do Wah Do Wah Diddy (Talkin' 'bout the Boy From New York City)"
Written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich
Performed by The Exciters
"Wait Til' My Bobby Gets Home"
Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector
Performed by Darlene Love
Produced by Phil Spector
Aside from these Greenwich classics there's also a scene set to "She's Crafty" by The Beastie Boys that strangely seems to fit; and watch for a credible performance of Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" by the multi-talented Robert Downey Jr. and a would-be mugger. Stevie Wonder contributes a song called "The Pick Up Artist" and I wondered if the song was written for the movie, or if the movie was written around the song.
A Scanner Darkly (2006) Robert Downey Jr. was James Barris
The Piano (1993) Harvey Keitel was George Baines
Bad Lieutenant (1992) Harvey Keitel was The Lieutenant
Chaplin (1992) Robert Downey Jr. was Charles Spencer Chaplin
Hudson Hawk (1991) Danny Aiello was Tommy 'Five-Tone' Messina
Do the Right Thing (1989) Danny Aiello was Salvatore 'Sal' Fragione
Fresh Horses (1988) Molly Ringwald was Jewel
Pretty in Pink (1986) Molly Ringwald was Andie Walsh
Blue Velvet (1986) Dennis Hopper was Frank Booth
Rebel without a Cause (1955) Dennis Hopper was Goon
--------------------------------
Jack Jericho: Did anyone ever tell you you're too good to be true?
Randy Jensen: No only that I'm too truthful to be good.
=======================================
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Be Gentle, It's Their First Time
Added 7/9/2009
This film marked the first collaboration between writer/director James Toback and Robert Downey, Jr. The two would go on to make 'Black and White' and 'Two Girls and a Guy'. Toback knew they were capable of more than they displayed here but with that being said this film is still lots of fun. It's not perfect, there are large credibility issues, but still. Jack Jericho (Downey, Jr.) is the titular character looking for the next great lay. His technique is hilarious and delivered at breakneck speed. He's too busy scoping out women down the block to focus in on any one woman. Jack gets thrown a curve ball when an attractive redhead (Ringwald) catches his eye. He's challenged when she doesn't fall for his charm and blows him off. He perseveres and within a half hour the two are enjoying a quickie in the backseat of his car. When the act is consummated she bolts without so much as giving him her name or number. Intrigued Jack sets out to learn all about her so that he can win her over. His investigation reveals that her name is Randy and she lives with an older man named Flash (Dennis Hopper). Flash is a drunk who owes a mobster named Alonzo (Harvey Keitel) a sizeable sum. Randy turns to gambling in the hopes of paying off the debt but it fails. Alonzo offers her a chance to work it off by pimping her out to a businessman (Bob Gunton). Before Randy can go through with it Jack intervenes. He takes on her debt as his own. As you can guess by now this Ringwald romantic comedy isn't like her John Hughes pictures. No, this is James Toback a director obsessed with sex, gambling, and danger. He does everything he can to challenge your expectations with the genre. Regardless the film falls victim to more than a few romantic comedy cliches. The film was originally rated R but edited to get a PG-13. Watch any of Keitel's or Ringwald's scenes with him and you can make out the four letter word that was taken out. This film is a fun ride that boasts a great soundtrack of Phil Spector produced classics, two winning performances by the leads and a great supporting cast that also includes Danny Aiello, and gorgeous New York city locations.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Robert Downey Jr
Added 6/17/2008
i first watched this movie when i was in my 20s but i have always been a fan of his and hers
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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How can you lose with these actors?
Added 3/24/2007
Dennis Hopper, Molly Ringwald, Robert Downy, an unknown Vanessa Williams? With these names you can't lose. To top it off, a 1967 Red Rally Sport Camero as a central character. What a gem of a movie, and now I finally own it! Robert Downy was in his heyday in this, right after doing Back To School with Rodney Dangerfield and before all the drugs. Molly Ringwald was still very hot too but I was shocked to see Vanessa Williams, I had forgotten she was in this movie. Look how young she was compared to her Ugly Betty self now!
The storyline was thin but it never got boring. Great pick up lines from Downey too. Just a real pleasure to watch and sure to lift your mood everytime.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I can't believe people enjoy this movie
Added 7/30/2006
This movie is complete garbage. I actually like Robert Downey Jr as an actor but hated him in this movie. Please do yourself a favor and don't watch this trash.
1 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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The face of a Picasso and the body of a Rubens
Added 9/1/2009
A young, fresh-faced Robert Downey Jr. (billed as Robert Downey) was Jack Jericho, the pick up artist. He rehearses his pick up lines in front of his mirror, and refines them constantly. For instance, when the principal of the school he teaches at admonishes him for picking up on his student's mother with a line like, 'you have the face of a Picasso and the body of a Rubens' he can't help but criticize his choice of artists. Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens was known for his fondness for full-figured women, such as his Venus at the Mirror, so saying a woman has the body of a Rubens is tantamount to calling her fat. And Picasso was a cubist, so the face of a Picasso could have facial features in random locations, as in his Dora Maar au Chat or Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. He takes his principle's advice -- not the part about not hitting on anything in a skirt -- the part about Picasso faces and Rubens bodies being less than flattering. He refines his pick up line:
Jack Jericho: Did anyone ever tell you that you have the face of a Botticelli and the body of a Degas?
Writer/Director James Toback reportedly based the Jack character on himself. Jack Jericho is very likeable, except for the fact that he is always hitting on anything with a pulse. He teaches school, and coaches baseball, and he gives his grandmother her diabetes medicine and tries to keep her from scarfing down candy bars. Even if he does try to use the baseball team kids as props, his heart is generally in the right place.
When he meets Randy Jensen (Molly Ringwald) his walls come tumblin' down. She is wise beyond her years but cynical and world weary -- the toll of taking care of her father, Flash (Dennis Hopper), a gambler with huge debts and a drinking problem. Harvey Keitel plays the thug who needs to collect, or else. Randy had to grow up fast to survive, and she sees right through an operator like Jack Jericho, and she'll have none of it. However, the more she shuns him, the harder he chases her. It is nice to see Molly with an edge. She's never been more attractive. She knows when to hold 'em, and she knows when to fold 'em, if you get my drift.
Bottom line, this is a slightly silly romantic comedy, but I was very entertained by it. Downey is bubbling with energy, and Ringwald tries to bring him down, but you can't keep a good Downey down. Hopper was no Frank Booth, but he was still Hopper. Harvey Keitel was no Bad Lieutenant, but he was still Harvey Keitel. Danny Aiello did the right thing, and Lorraine Bracco sang like a soprano.
Speaking of singing, there were some great tunes on the soundtrack, but sadly, the very next day after watching The Pick Up Artist I learned that Ellie Greenwich, who had co-written a lot of them, had just passed away:
"Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)"
Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector
Performed by The Crystals
Produced by Phil Spector
"Do Wah Do Wah Do Wah Diddy (Talkin' 'bout the Boy From New York City)"
Written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich
Performed by The Exciters
"Wait Til' My Bobby Gets Home"
Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector
Performed by Darlene Love
Produced by Phil Spector
Aside from these Greenwich classics there's also a scene set to "She's Crafty" by The Beastie Boys that strangely seems to fit; and watch for a credible performance of Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" by the multi-talented Robert Downey Jr. and a would-be mugger. Stevie Wonder contributes a song called "The Pick Up Artist" and I wondered if the song was written for the movie, or if the movie was written around the song.
A Scanner Darkly (2006) Robert Downey Jr. was James Barris
The Piano (1993) Harvey Keitel was George Baines
Bad Lieutenant (1992) Harvey Keitel was The Lieutenant
Chaplin (1992) Robert Downey Jr. was Charles Spencer Chaplin
Hudson Hawk (1991) Danny Aiello was Tommy 'Five-Tone' Messina
Do the Right Thing (1989) Danny Aiello was Salvatore 'Sal' Fragione
Fresh Horses (1988) Molly Ringwald was Jewel
Pretty in Pink (1986) Molly Ringwald was Andie Walsh
Blue Velvet (1986) Dennis Hopper was Frank Booth
Rebel without a Cause (1955) Dennis Hopper was Goon
--------------------------------
Jack Jericho: Did anyone ever tell you you're too good to be true?
Randy Jensen: No only that I'm too truthful to be good.
=======================================
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Be Gentle, It's Their First Time
Added 7/9/2009
This film marked the first collaboration between writer/director James Toback and Robert Downey, Jr. The two would go on to make 'Black and White' and 'Two Girls and a Guy'. Toback knew they were capable of more than they displayed here but with that being said this film is still lots of fun. It's not perfect, there are large credibility issues, but still. Jack Jericho (Downey, Jr.) is the titular character looking for the next great lay. His technique is hilarious and delivered at breakneck speed. He's too busy scoping out women down the block to focus in on any one woman. Jack gets thrown a curve ball when an attractive redhead (Ringwald) catches his eye. He's challenged when she doesn't fall for his charm and blows him off. He perseveres and within a half hour the two are enjoying a quickie in the backseat of his car. When the act is consummated she bolts without so much as giving him her name or number. Intrigued Jack sets out to learn all about her so that he can win her over. His investigation reveals that her name is Randy and she lives with an older man named Flash (Dennis Hopper). Flash is a drunk who owes a mobster named Alonzo (Harvey Keitel) a sizeable sum. Randy turns to gambling in the hopes of paying off the debt but it fails. Alonzo offers her a chance to work it off by pimping her out to a businessman (Bob Gunton). Before Randy can go through with it Jack intervenes. He takes on her debt as his own. As you can guess by now this Ringwald romantic comedy isn't like her John Hughes pictures. No, this is James Toback a director obsessed with sex, gambling, and danger. He does everything he can to challenge your expectations with the genre. Regardless the film falls victim to more than a few romantic comedy cliches. The film was originally rated R but edited to get a PG-13. Watch any of Keitel's or Ringwald's scenes with him and you can make out the four letter word that was taken out. This film is a fun ride that boasts a great soundtrack of Phil Spector produced classics, two winning performances by the leads and a great supporting cast that also includes Danny Aiello, and gorgeous New York city locations.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Robert Downey Jr
Added 6/17/2008
i first watched this movie when i was in my 20s but i have always been a fan of his and hers
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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