Boy, where do I begin? The VHS cover art might tell you it's supposed to be a screwball comedy, but the actual movie doesn't even come close. First of all, Brian Dennehy and Anne Archer, both miscast in the roles of the couple, are not even comic actors. It seems they don't even try for the film's 83 minute running time. The script by Robert Kaufman was good, just not handled correctly. If we could picture Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo in the roles maybe it could have been better.
Richard Jackson (Dennehy) is a pharmacist in southern California whose financial situation is not good (maxed out credit cards, unlimited piles of bills, owing money to a loan shark, etc.) So one day, he decides to shut off the electricity, use farm animals to supply fresh eggs and milk, and lives off the land frugally, but it isn't long before their friends turn against them, especially in the film's second act, the actual plot doesn't even start until about 45 minutes in!
Even the supporting cast (Hallie Todd, Chris Hebert, Michael Bowen) and familiar faces appearing in cameos, Greg Mullavey as Richard's long time car salesman friend, Harry. Beau Starr as a vicious loan shark. Dick Shawn in a wasted role as a goof-ball neighbor and TV director and former Woody Allen protégé Howard Storm as a psychiatrist who meets a unfunny portrayed demise, can't even save this movie.
All in all, not a very good film considering the short running time, it's low-budget feel, ragged editing, and poor casting choices. No surprise it got a scant theatrical release in the mid-'80s (it was completed in 1984), and a poor home video history (only appeared on VHS and Beta). Maybe a director's cut, with better editing, will happen in the future.
Richard Jackson (Dennehy) is a pharmacist in southern California whose financial situation is not good (maxed out credit cards, unlimited piles of bills, owing money to a loan shark, etc.) So one day, he decides to shut off the electricity, use farm animals to supply fresh eggs and milk, and lives off the land frugally, but it isn't long before their friends turn against them, especially in the film's second act, the actual plot doesn't even start until about 45 minutes in!
Even the supporting cast (Hallie Todd, Chris Hebert, Michael Bowen) and familiar faces appearing in cameos, Greg Mullavey as Richard's long time car salesman friend, Harry. Beau Starr as a vicious loan shark. Dick Shawn in a wasted role as a goof-ball neighbor and TV director and former Woody Allen protégé Howard Storm as a psychiatrist who meets a unfunny portrayed demise, can't even save this movie.
All in all, not a very good film considering the short running time, it's low-budget feel, ragged editing, and poor casting choices. No surprise it got a scant theatrical release in the mid-'80s (it was completed in 1984), and a poor home video history (only appeared on VHS and Beta). Maybe a director's cut, with better editing, will happen in the future.