★ 8 / 10
This movie wouldn’t make any of my top
Peter McGinn
This movie wouldn’t make any of my top 20 lists (if I took the time to create some) but I think it is a charming film, and that is quite an accomplishment.…
This movie wouldn’t make any of my top 20 lists (if I took the time to create some) but I think it is a charming film, and that is quite an accomplishment. Because if it weren’t for the talented ensemble main actors, Garry Marshall directing, and a witty script (the writer has Pay it Forward and others on her resume), this movie could easily have been a stinker. As it is, it has a lot of laughs, cute child actors, some character development, and a fun time for all.
It is priceless to watch the Goldie Hawk character go from snooty, haughty rich bitch, to a sensitive self-deprecating amnesiac mom who is not cut out for motherhood and in over her head. What she learns about herself doesn’t come from her memory, but from what the Kurt Russell character relates to her, so she hears how she had sex with him their first date and she says, “I’m a slut.” Sexist, of course, but at least she is saying it about herself, and she does come through for her ‘family’ in the end.
It is a harmless good time. I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it, but I wouldn’t change channels if it came on either. As an aside, I haven’t seen the remake, so I can’t make comparisons. Probably should judge both on their own merits anyway, right?
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★ 8 / 10
A guilty pleasure.
MinorityReporter
Being a guy must make the fact that I like this film so much a guilty pleasure because it really is a chick-flick with capital C. I usually do not like to rate…
Being a guy must make the fact that I like this film so much a guilty pleasure because it really is a chick-flick with capital C. I usually do not like to rate romantic comedies very high unless they have a different story and Overboard certainly has a different and (I think) original story. If you can get past the fact that the male lead is deceiving a woman with amnesia then you're going to love this movie. The acting is very, very good. I don't usually like Kurt Russel but I think he is near perfect in this role. Goldie Hawn is excellent and I must say that she was quite good looking in her younger days. I never really laughed out loud during the movie but I sat through the whole movie with and involuntary smile on my face because of the cute dialog and the slow change in the characters. The other cast members are also quite good. I found Edward Herrmannto be the most interesting character in the movie but he wasn't used enough. The emotions portrayed by the characters seem genuine which is a nice change from many other romantic comedies *cough* Pretty Woman *cough* and the on-screen chemistry between Russel and Hawn was undeniable.
All in all a very recommendable and highly enjoyable movie.
8/10
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one of my favourite rom coms!