| | Review Date: Director: Sidney Poitier Writer: Bruce Jay Friedman Producers: Hannah Weinstein Actors: Gene Wilder Richard Pryor Georg Stanford Brown |
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Well, I’m happy to report that YES, the movie does stand the test of time and I was really happy to see that at least one of my faves from the 80s still did. Gene Wilder is hilariously funny in this movie as the happy-go-lucky guy who never really comes to grips with the reality of his dire situation. Richard Pryor is also good, but I only noticed this time around, that he actually only plays “second fiddle” to Wilder’s funnier character.
The story is also pretty interesting, with one of the most elaborate jail break sequences set to film topping of the whole thing. I did think that the film went a little too long and that the “rodeo” angle was a little far-fetched, but overall this movie had me cracking up for most of its way.
Check it out if you want to see a funny “prison” movie with Wilder and Pryor in their prime. Also, see Craig T. Nelson in a small role as prison guard.