Modern Problems (1981)

Let's be realistic.

Good movie but grossly overrated

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Modern Problems (1981): Dir: Ken Shapiro / Cast: Chevy Chase, Patti D'Arbanville, Mary Kay Place, Dabney Coleman, Nell Carter: Innovative high strung comedy that takes average daily issues and jacks them up on steroids. Chevy Chase plays airline controller Maxwell Fiedler whose girlfriend moves out because of his jealousy issues. Central plot regards the telekinesis power he develops after some sort of toxic spill from a truck. The film fails to have fun with this and instead is reduced in a dark tone that doesn't work. Chase has fun moments where he arrives at a restaurant and cause his ex-girlfriend's date to have a massive nose bleed, or the ballet that he totally wrecks. Patti D'Arbanville plays the girlfriend whom he is trying to win back. Mary Kay Place has a nifty supporting role as Chase's ex-wife who drags him to a nightclub where he unfortunately encounters D'Arbanville with a cocky date. Dabney Coleman plays an egotistic novelist who insults Chase and makes a play for D'Arbanville to the point of disrobing casually in her presence. They all get together at a beach house where the telekinesis hits a high sending Coleman through the ceiling. Nell Carter has an idiotic role as a maid doing voodoo on Chase but to no avail. While it is not as funny as it could be and certainly misses a grand opportunity, the theme addresses stress and all other modern problems that lead to bizarre incidents. Score: 7 ½ / 10

Sheesh, I have read a lot of the reviews posted here and many are unfavorable...bad acting, poor directing, (not so) special effects, mono sound, blah photography....so I understand that after I post my (favorable) review I will probably not be able to run successfully for high public office. Of course, that deal was sealed long ago...its only a matter of time until they dig up and publish my history of my porn site visits in Google archives...so what the heck, here goes.I could NOT stop laughing. Did the other reviews mention casting? It is brilliant...who better to cast as a moody, feckless scorned lover (who happens to be an air traffic controller) than Chevy Chase...add to his performance that of Mitch Kreindel as the more feckless foil and you have a recipe for doubled-over laughter that would make you glad you wore your depends that day, if only they had them back in the 80's when this film was first screened. I loved the telekinesis device, especially the moment when an airplane ashtray complete with roaring engines and laden with cigarette butts, flies across the airport employee lounge and crashes in flames into a wall poster featuring some alpine peak. This is our first clue that Chevy has developed special powers, the rest is charming and fun (thanks to the great cast including Dabney Coleman, Mitch Kreindel, Patti D'Arbanville, and Nell Carter). Detractors will say (have said) otherwise. All that critical nit picking is only detail. Years later, when I think of this film, I smile. How bad can that be?

The director and star of the 1974 classic "The Groove Tube" reunited to make the wacky "Modern Problems", in which air traffic controller Max Fiedler (Chevy Chase) gets exposed to nuclear waste and uses his new powers to play all sorts of tricks. It's hard to say what was my favorite scene; there were so many funny ones (the ballet sequence was a real hoot, as was the restaurant scene).Look, you just gotta see this movie. It's so hilarious and truly shows Chevy Chase during his heyday at his best. I know that in later years he degenerated into crappy fare like "Cops and Robbersons", but this affirms that he really can play a great role. A person would have to lack a sense of humor not to like this movie. Also starring Patti D'Arbanville, Dabney Coleman, Mary Kay Place, Nell Carter and Brian Doyle-Murray.And also check out "The Groove Tube".

then we're in serious trouble. I realize this is not to be taken seriously, but the bottom line for me: if you find others' physical pain funny, you've got some SERIOUS issues. Chevy Chase plays a pathetic, selfish, sexist, homophobic, coked-up loser who rightfully so loses his girlfriend. He's given a self-destructive gift as a vehicle for humor in the end teaching him a valuable lesson? Giving his ex-girlfriend's date a serious bloody nose?!?! Sending a ballet dancer flying across the stage and exploding his crotch?!?! THIS is supposed to make me laugh??! If anything, it demonstrates the lack of intellect and decency in American audiences. I don't find this humor humorous, even if it is a sci-fi movie. It's drenched in sexism, homophobia (bringing a gun to ward of homosexuals? nice), and seriously BAD special effects and dialog. The only thing funny now is how much make-up Patti D'Arbinville is wearing and Nell Carter's character (rest in peace Nell, but what were you thinking?). It seems to draw a fan base of anti-social heterosexual men that fantasize about killing everyone that wronged them because they're pathetic. Nice! Should have never been imagined let alone produced...