Splash (1984)

I love this movie so much

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Splash was a nice fun film with an excellent cast. Unfortunately the last quarter or so was weak.Tom Hanks is great as the lead and Daryl Hannah quite alluring. John Candy is humorous and lovable. Eugene Levy is not usually funny to me but has some good moments here. The potential was wasted a little bit, but I did laugh a lot.

I remember watching this shortly after it was released and finding it to be a fun little movie. Looked at over 30 years later it strikes me as memorable mostly because it was some of the earliest work from some of the significant names associated with it. Most notably, because of how his career evolved, this was actually the first big screen role for Tom Hanks, whose previous work had been in television. It was also an early role for Daryl Hannah, and an early piece of directing from Ron Howard. So it's not an insignificant movie at all, although it does have little of substance.Hanks played Allen Bauer, a young New York businessman. As a boy he fell off a boat and before he was rescued he encountered a mermaid. Years later, the mermaid (played by Hannah) shows up naked (not gratuitously) at the Statue of Liberty, apparently looking for Allen. Dry and on land, she has legs, so Allen doesn't realize that she's a mermaid, and quickly falls in love with her, finding her innocence both appealing and mysterious. I thought Hanks and Hannah were both very good in their roles. They shared a nice chemistry and made the relationship believable. The supporting cast featured John Candy as Allen's brother and Eugene Levy as a scientist who is convinced that mermaids exist and wants to prove it by capturing Madison (as the mermaid has chosen to be called.) I guess the performances from Candy and Levy were all right, but I found their characters too over the top. They took the focus off the relationship between Allen and Madison, which probably could have been explored in more depth.In the end, this can be called a pleasant way to waste some time, and an interesting look at some of the early work from people who went on to bigger and better things. (5/10)

Before Tom Hanks became known for his dramatic turns, he used to be a funnyman and a successful one at that as shown in the 1980's. Splash is one of his early films and it showcases his talent. This is also an early directorial effort by Ron Howard and it is a very good one. As a romantic comedy, one may have to suspend disbelief because of the far-fletched plot. But the film itself is very likable and funny. It will endear to nearly everyone, especially fans of Tom Hanks.Howard's film is about a Manhattan bachelor named Allen Bauer who falls in love with a mermaid from Cape Cod and when their romance is made public, they must fight to save the mermaid's existence......and their love.This is Tom Hanks at his funniest. He is a really funny guy, and the film proves that. He makes many jokes and even is adept at physical humor. However, he does show a very sentimental side which comes very useful in the film. Daryl Hannah does a good job as the mermaid, even if she does learn the entire language of English in six hours. Eugene Levy was fantastic as the man trying to prove the urban legend is real. Finally, as always, John Candy is pathetically dumb but really funny and sweet-hearted in the film.Overall, Splash is a very endearing rom-com and it is a different style from what we are used to seeing with these kind of films and that is fine with me. It may not be entirely believable, but the film is about how love can find anyone, even the working man. This is a very good film and from what I see, not many people have seen this film, at least my generation hasn't. I rate this film 9/10.

What I really like about Splash is that it doesn't try to be anything more than a laid back comedy. There are too many movies today that attempt at a deeper meaning than necessary. Splash is just a typical 80's romantic comedy that can be fun for all ages. Its led by Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. During the times that they both communicate the chemistry is great, even with a bit of a rocky start. Of course Hanks and Hannah are the only reason I watched the film. When you read the premise it sounds like a Disney Channel film (I'm looking at you Aqua Marine) so when I ended up watching it I was pleasantly surprised. Now the movie has a lot of eye rolling moments but also a bit of charm to it as well.For beginners I don't understand how the film can be given a PG rating with nudity across the entire 100 minutes, but the script and characters are easy enough to follow for a young age. With that being said you know exactly where the movie is headed, which can be annoying. I did find all the scenes with John Candy to be hilarious but you don't get comedic relief from anywhere else though.But as I have said the film doesn't try to do too much with fish out of water premise. It knows when its silly and it plays off itself. Its not a great movie by any stretch of the imagination but I cant say I'm disappointed with it either.+John Candy+Music brings charm to the romance+doesnt try to do too much-A bit too silly at times-Predictable-PG rating?6.2/10