"Just the Ticket" is a different comedy romance and drama, mostly because of its main subject - scalping. This is a good love story with a little drama, built around a world of scalping tickets in New York City. I don't know how big this racket may be, or how realistic the portrayal of the racket is in this film. But, it turns out to be an interesting milieu in which to portray a love story between Gary Starke and Linda Palinski. Andy Garcia and Anie MacDowell star in the film that Garcia also produced.
I don't understand the nuances and field of film making these days, since the end of the studio system and the demise of most of the major studios of history. Now movies are made by conglomerate businesses that may or may not have bought an old studio or system and include it in their name. Or, they are independently produced by who knows who or what business, and then somehow contracted for marketing. I mention that here because this was apparently a contracted film that Garcia produced, but its distribution and showing was somewhat iffy.
Apparently it didn't get very good reviews wherever it was released. Yet, I found it very interesting just for the activity it showed of handfuls of people making their livings off of scalping tickets in New York City. The romantic love story is good and believable with the portrayals of Garcia and MacDowell. And, the humor is apparent when Gary says he's going straight but he can't help but go after the next big deal. The message is clear - this type of activity can be addictive. There are some nice supporting roles by mostly little known actors. And, there is some drama and a sad note. But the ending is a hoot.
One very curious thing about it is that Gary, a guy in his early 30s, didn't have a social security number. The only way he could have lived and gone so long without needing a SS number for employment, would be something like what he did - scalping tickets. He ran away from an orphanage as a young teen and never looked back. But, from the school of hard knocks, he had a good heart. And Linda turned out to be his ticket to responsibility - and respectability. He just needed to get one last big project - when the Pope comes to visit New York City.
Fortunately for Gary, other things happened that helped him make Linda's dream come true - and clinch winning her back. And lots of humor occurs with this, interspersed with some down to earth human and dramatic pieces here and there. I think it's a very good film with some wonderful acting by the entire cast.
I don't understand the nuances and field of film making these days, since the end of the studio system and the demise of most of the major studios of history. Now movies are made by conglomerate businesses that may or may not have bought an old studio or system and include it in their name. Or, they are independently produced by who knows who or what business, and then somehow contracted for marketing. I mention that here because this was apparently a contracted film that Garcia produced, but its distribution and showing was somewhat iffy.
Apparently it didn't get very good reviews wherever it was released. Yet, I found it very interesting just for the activity it showed of handfuls of people making their livings off of scalping tickets in New York City. The romantic love story is good and believable with the portrayals of Garcia and MacDowell. And, the humor is apparent when Gary says he's going straight but he can't help but go after the next big deal. The message is clear - this type of activity can be addictive. There are some nice supporting roles by mostly little known actors. And, there is some drama and a sad note. But the ending is a hoot.
One very curious thing about it is that Gary, a guy in his early 30s, didn't have a social security number. The only way he could have lived and gone so long without needing a SS number for employment, would be something like what he did - scalping tickets. He ran away from an orphanage as a young teen and never looked back. But, from the school of hard knocks, he had a good heart. And Linda turned out to be his ticket to responsibility - and respectability. He just needed to get one last big project - when the Pope comes to visit New York City.
Fortunately for Gary, other things happened that helped him make Linda's dream come true - and clinch winning her back. And lots of humor occurs with this, interspersed with some down to earth human and dramatic pieces here and there. I think it's a very good film with some wonderful acting by the entire cast.