The Adventures of Ford Fairlane


"Some people play hard to get...I play hard to want."   - Ford Fairlane


release year: 1990
genre: comedy/action
viewing setting: home DVD, 5/18/20 and 3/26/12 and home laserdisc 8/29/97

synopsis: Private detectives come and go, but there's only one rock'n'roll detective: the rude, crude, and socially unacceptable Ford Fairlane - who finds himself embroiled in a strange plot that keeps getting people killed.

impressions: This is a crude humor movie; while it was fun in the 1980s, it hasn't aged well due to society aging around it. Like Eddie Murphy's work from that decade, it will now be viewed as disgusting and offensive. I thought it was funny as hell, and quite entertaining. Not only is there some early use of a computer, but one screen is full of references to other movies.

acting: This is the Andrew Dice Clay show, and he's fully in character with the insults and snappy lines. Lauren Holly (in an early role) is his secretary/sidekick. Wayne Newton plays a sleazy record label executive. A variety of others (ranging from Vince Neil of Motley Crue to Priscilla Presley) have minor roles.

final word: Funny comedy with a few fight scenes, for those who can handle it.

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