This is one of those comedies that largely forsakes jokes and tries to get by on attitude. It establishes a potentially humorous situation, but then the script seems to run out of gas and the cast is left to try and mug their way to a few laughs. They have some success at that and at only 89 minutes, Doctor Detroit never wears out its welcome. If this thing didn't star Dan Akroyd, however, there's no way it would still be around decades later.
Clifford Skridlow (Dan Akroyd) is a fully geeked out professor at a small Chicago college. One morning, while out for a power walk, Skridlow comes to the attention of a pimp named Smooth Walker (Howard Hessman) and his towncar full of "ladies". He makes such an impression that when Smooth finds himself being squeezed by a crime boss named Mom (Kate Murtagh), he invents a partner named Doctor Detroit and ropes Skridlow into playing the role. While Smooth slips out of town, it's Skridlow/Doctor Detroit who has to deal with Mom and her thugs. As if that's not enough, Skridlow also has to make sure nothing goes wrong when a rich alumnus comes to town to present a check that'll save the college from financial disaster. It all culminates at a downtown hotel where Skridlow has to MC an alumni dinner in one wing while also appearing as Doctor Detroit at a "Playa's Ball" in the other.
You've really got to be in a good mood to enjoy this film. If you're even a bit cranky, you're going to notice that it's not all that funny. Aside from Skridlow's transformation, complete with metal gauntlet and a wig that makes him look like Paul Williams after sticking his finger in a light socket, there's little here that will provoke spontaneous laughter. I'm not sure if there's even half a dozen honest punch lines in the whole movie.
What Doctor Detroit does have is a good natured energy and a tone of mild amusement woven through a simple, yet mechanically effective, plot. The whole cast, even the bad guys, exudes a basic likability and the story even offers up a woefully underdeveloped theme about pimps being the agents of chivalry in the modern world. Dan Akroyd was still a big enough deal back in 1983 to take those loose threads and tie them all together to make a little comedy shawl. It's not enough to keep anyone warm or keep the rain off but if the weather is just right, it's a nice accessory.
If you're already in a good mood and only want to be diverted, Doctor Detroit wouldn't be a bad choice. If you need to be cheered up, this film doesn't have the horsepower to do it.
Clifford Skridlow (Dan Akroyd) is a fully geeked out professor at a small Chicago college. One morning, while out for a power walk, Skridlow comes to the attention of a pimp named Smooth Walker (Howard Hessman) and his towncar full of "ladies". He makes such an impression that when Smooth finds himself being squeezed by a crime boss named Mom (Kate Murtagh), he invents a partner named Doctor Detroit and ropes Skridlow into playing the role. While Smooth slips out of town, it's Skridlow/Doctor Detroit who has to deal with Mom and her thugs. As if that's not enough, Skridlow also has to make sure nothing goes wrong when a rich alumnus comes to town to present a check that'll save the college from financial disaster. It all culminates at a downtown hotel where Skridlow has to MC an alumni dinner in one wing while also appearing as Doctor Detroit at a "Playa's Ball" in the other.
You've really got to be in a good mood to enjoy this film. If you're even a bit cranky, you're going to notice that it's not all that funny. Aside from Skridlow's transformation, complete with metal gauntlet and a wig that makes him look like Paul Williams after sticking his finger in a light socket, there's little here that will provoke spontaneous laughter. I'm not sure if there's even half a dozen honest punch lines in the whole movie.
What Doctor Detroit does have is a good natured energy and a tone of mild amusement woven through a simple, yet mechanically effective, plot. The whole cast, even the bad guys, exudes a basic likability and the story even offers up a woefully underdeveloped theme about pimps being the agents of chivalry in the modern world. Dan Akroyd was still a big enough deal back in 1983 to take those loose threads and tie them all together to make a little comedy shawl. It's not enough to keep anyone warm or keep the rain off but if the weather is just right, it's a nice accessory.
If you're already in a good mood and only want to be diverted, Doctor Detroit wouldn't be a bad choice. If you need to be cheered up, this film doesn't have the horsepower to do it.