All of Me *** (1984, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Victoria Tennant) – Classic Movie Review 6897

Director Carl Reiner’s enjoyable 1984 comedy stars a hilarious Steve Martin, who gives all of himself in this welcome crazy comedy about Roger Cobb (Martin), a nice lawyer whose body is taken over by the spirit of a rich grouch, Edwina Cutwater, played by Lily Tomlin.

The dying millionairess Edwina has made arrangements for her soul to be transferred into a younger woman. She calls Cobb in to change her will, then dies, but she finds herself in her lawyer’s body.

The clever gender-switching idea gives opportunities for amusing comments on the peculiarities of male behaviour and the war between men and women, though some of the comedy trades on easy stereotypes of effeminacy.

The patchy screenplay by Phil Alden Robinson, based on the novel by Edwin Davis, becomes increasingly funny and likeable as it goes along and Martin’s Jerry Lewis-style routines are delightful.

Victoria Tennant also stars as Terry Hoskins. Martin and co-star Victoria Tennant later married, starred together in LA Story, but then divorced.

Also in the cast are Madolyn Smith [Osborne], Dana Elcar, Richard Libertini, Jason Bernard, Selma Diamond, Eric Christmas, Gaillard Sartain, Neva Patterson, Michael Ensign, Peggy Feury and Nan Martin.

All of Me is directed by Carl Reiner, runs 91 minutes, is produced by Thorn EMI and Kings Road, is released by Universal, is written by Phil Alden Robinson, is shot by Richard H Kline, is produced by Stephen Friedman, is scored by Patrick Williams and is designed by Edward C Carfagno. Henry Olek is also credited for adaptation and Phil Alden Robinson is associate producer.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6897

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