Greedy (1994)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

How sad is this?

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

Over the opening credits, Jimmy Durante sings his signature song "Inka Dinka Doo" (a hit in 1934, but the version here is from later). Before the actual movie begins, it might have been nice to include the few seconds where Mr. Durante "kicks the bucket" from the opening of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963), if the rights could be obtained. The Durante film clip is included so those unfamiliar with the entertainer will know who boyish Michael J. Fox (as Daniel "Danny" McTeague) imitates to please his wealthy uncle Kirk Douglas (as Joe McTeague). All of Mr. Douglas' greedy relatives expect him to "buy the farm" at any moment...Mr. Fox has a touch of arthritis in his wrist and must give up his career as a professional bowler. He wants to marry girlfriend Nancy Travis (as Robin Hunter) and needs $300,000 to invest in a bowling center. Fox is in great shape and shows a generous amount of skin, including a buttocks close-up. Keeping her bikini on and showing less flesh is curvy Olivia d'Abo (as Molly Richardson), a main competitor for the "McTeague" millions. Douglas says the sexy blonde arrived as a pizza delivery girl and moved in as nurse...Supporting cast cousins Phil Hartman (as Frank), Ed Begley Jr. (as Carl), Jere Burns (as Glen) and Colleen Camp (as Patti) also want the fortune. The film starts out amusingly vulgar and loses its grip on comedy to become a fairly predictable series of plot twists; there are enough to insure at least one will be a surprise. The final twist startles because it doesn't fit the story.**** Greedy (3/4/94) Jonathan Lynn ~ Michael J. Fox, Kirk Douglas, Nancy Travis, Olivia D'Abo

I found this film so obvious in its "humor" and overacting all over the place that could only resist about 20 minutes of it.It seemed acted for people with diminished intellectual capacity, loudly and over the top, with plenty of facial gestures and theatrical whispers --when they weren't shouting-- rolling eyes and everything. Really.Shame for an actor like Kirk Douglas, that has masterpieces in his portfolio of pictures.And the film is wrong from its basis, the script, a script --again so obvious-- that from the very first scene we comprehend the whole idea without having to wait for its development, so infantile it is. Maybe it was done for the Popcorn Generation or whatever they are called?Read the other reviews, see whatever length of this movie you can suffer, and judge for yourself.

from the comments I saw here, I thought I was about to see one of those rare, forgotten comedic gems, the cast definitely offered hope. However, this was disappointing, there were a couple of good one-liners but this was more a drama than a comedy and a drama that seemed to drag and drag.Apart from Fox and Douglas, everyone else was one-dimensional and seemed to be saying the same stuff over and over again. There was real scope here for a wittier script, instead it all got rather tedious, 30 minutes could easily have been lopped off the running time.At least it was good to see actors like Douglas, Fox and Hartmann in their prime, its sad to see what has happened to that trio now.

A wonderful, little known movie. I join the others here who wonder how this jewel slipped past recognition in theaters. I was amazed when I stumbled across it- I don't even recall how.What a joy. I remain shocked that such a good film is so unknown. The timing, the dialogue, the hilarious writing... What distribution company dropped the ball on this one? The dinner table scene at the beginning is the best ensemble five minutes or so I have ever watched. It's like a brilliant verbal volleyball game, comments popped from one character to the next, no one letting the ball drop. This family deserves each other. I, like "Little Daniel" was rooting for "the Limey Chick." The blending of actors is perfect. Michael J. Fox, being Michael J. Fox alone should have assured the movie's recognition...oh yeah, that's why I rented it. Phil Hartman- what a brilliant man- but enough of that. He was unique and perfect as the spearhead of the obnoxious clan.This movie does not make the common mistake of relying on well known actors and letting the script fend for itself. The concept, writing, acting, and unusual twists are well crafted. Everyone did his job.Except that distribution company. Does anybody have their address?