Review of The Tall Guy (1989) by John K — 25 Dec 2012

There are some funny bits in this (particularly the sex scene), and Emma Thompson does a very good job. Rowan Atkinson is also good in a supporting role, basically playing himself. However, the film as a whole is a bit clunky; I think that Richard Curtis (writer) went on to do much better work later, but he was still finding his way here.

E.g. Dexter comes out with one-liners which are funny but don't really make sense in context, if only because he's often talking to himself. Also, Jeff Goldblum doesn't show much dramatic range: he seems to spend most of the film being slightly cynical/detached.

The only time Dexter really seems happy is when we see him cartwheeling in silhouette, so that was probably a stunt double rather than the same actor! As for the "play within a play" (Elephant), maybe its time has come? Given all the jukebox musicals that are out now, it seems quite plausible as a concept, and it did have some genuinely catchy songs.

Oh, and avoid the trailer - it literally gives away the ending of the film.