Fun with Dick and Jane (1977)

Waste of time

Very Cool!!!

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Fun with Dick and Jane is a take on the Dick and Jane children's books; George Segal and Jane Fonda play the title characters who've always played by the rules and done everything society's told them to do. Just when they've incurred $70 grand in debt for home improvements, George gets fired. They try everything they can think of to get jobs and money, but when they reach the end of their rope, they turn to crime.This movie isn't made to be taken seriously, so don't expect a dramatic heist film. This is a fun frolic through the 1970s with a few robberies along the way. George and Jane bounce off each other well, and they let the lines flow naturally, which makes the farcical situations even funnier. Hollywood remade the film in 2005, but it wasn't nearly as funny as the original.

I waited a long time to finally see what I thought was going to be a fun caper flick and was shocked to discover shoddy direction, awkward dialogue, a lackluster pace, unmotivated slapstick gags and an overall coarseness that permeated the film throughout. Just not funny! The sets looked cheap, the costumes by the usually excellent Donfeld are garish and distracting. Even the title song is annoying. The whole children's book characters doesn't come close to representing the married couple whose life is turned upside down when he loses his job. For a film that seems to aim a dart at the unfairness of welfare and unemployment systems, the filmmakers have no problem in being unfair themselves, allowing Hispanic, black and gay stereotypes played at such a cruel level. The look of the film resembles any episode of Love American Style. This is not a compliment. Tacky seventies fashions abound in this world of white collar theft that only lends an air of implausibility to every situation. Outside of a clever initial idea, and two capable stars in Jane Fonda and George Segal, this dated exercise in social commentary comes off as forced and mean spirited to minorities, especially to gay people. If you want a better caper film, you're better off with The Hot Rock with George Segal and Robert Redford or What's Up Doc with Ryan O'Neal and Barbra Streisand. Now that's funny!

Having never seen either version of this film before, I tuned into Fun with Dick on a whim after once again finding their was very little else on the other gazillion channels we extortionately pay for, and was I so glad I did.Respectable Aero Engineer Dick Harper has everything. A high flying job, his dream home complete with soon to be complete swimming pool, the perfect wife and son and obligatory dog. In short he has managed to acquire the prefect existence and has made a complete success of life.However when George is laid off by his company, he finds that he has been completely living beyond his means, as the debts of the financially secure mount around a financially ruined family. Endless Hire purchase agreements and red bank statements hardly make good bedfellows.After several disastrous attempts to find other employment and with their welfare checks withheld, Dick and Jane are almost at the end of their rope. With their affluent lifestyle and social position spiralling out of control it seems that their is no where else for them to turn.However when Dick and Jane become innocent victims of an armed hold up in a loan office, Jane manages to re steal some of the already stolen money which sets them on a new and exciting path to regain the perks and comforts of old.They decide that if they cannot earn money and they are unable to receive it through benefits then they would steal it in a number of bizarre hold ups ranging from sleazy porn motels, record shops and liquor stores.George Segal and Jane Fonda are perfectly cast as the daring couple bitten by the bug of thrills and excitement as their new way of life becomes more than just a means to an end.We see them practise at their new found art, gain their confidence and slowly acquire the tricks of the trade as they slowly and more than willingly turn from amateur to professional criminals.With confidence comes bigger and better jobs, and with the necessary skill and ability, Dick and Jane turn their attentions to Dicks former employers and their bulging safe. The Ultimate revenge. Great stuff.It wasn't a 'fall out of your seat laughing' kind of comedy, but none the less it was amusing and entertaining enough to be perfect family viewing on a rainy afternoon.It really is Fun with Dick and Jane.

I agree with the reviewer who said that George Segal and Jane Fonda are an unlikely couple to star in this movie. But, oh, does it work! This is one of my top ten all-time favorite movies. The humor is a bit more subtle than the Jim Carey remake and I happen to prefer that kind of humor.The premise of the movie would be hard to beat at any rate. It really works as a comedy situation. Some of the scenes in this movie will absolutely make you roar with laughter.If you want a good laugh on a Friday night...rent this one. :) Or better yet, buy yourself a copy so you can watch it again and again. It really is that funny.