Morgan Stewart's Coming Home

First of all, I love this movie. I know the film didn't do well in theaters, and that it had all sorts of trouble behind the scenes, and critics bash it every chance they get. But, I simply don't care... I love it, from start to finish. Jon Cryer is great. And, if you agree with me on this, then you will enjoy this film. If not... then, most likely, you won't enjoy this film. It's that simple.

I grew up watching this film countless times, as I identified not only with Cryer, but also with his character, Morgan. Growing up, I was "Morbid Morgan", and still am. Along with Cryer's other films, "NO SMALL AFFAIR", "PRETTY IN PINK" and the extremely underrated "HIDING OUT", this one ranks as one my favorites.

Also, I am getting pretty tired of the accusations that this film was made to cash in on "FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF", as the two are nothing alike, and this particular film, although it was released in 1987, was shot in 1985, a full year before the latter film's release. So there.

Geeky cute teenager Jon Cryer (as Morgan Stewart) is kicked out of eight boarding schools in six years. Finally, he returns home to get re-acquainted with wealthy Washington, DC parents Lynn Redgrave and Nicholas Pryor (as Nancy and Tom). There, mother Redgrave is busy being a perfectly coiffed politician's wife, and Republican father Pryor is running for office. A horror fan, Cryer meets beautiful kindred spirit Viveka Davis (as Emily) at a George Romero book-signing.

Cryer and Ms. Davis take a shower together, clad in their underwear and horror heads. Guess some parts don't get dirty. Also, Cryer finds out corrupt executive aide Paul Gleason (as Jay Le Soto) is working against his father, and the plot goes haywire. Cryer is a believable and engaging teenage horror fan (his father John debuted as a ghost on "Dark Shadows"). And, Davis is an appealing romantic interest. But, the story obviously isn't sure where to go, or how to get there.

***** Morgan Stewart's Coming Home (2/20/87) Paul Aaron, Terry Windsor ~ Jon Cryer, Viveka Davis, Lynn Redgrave, Paul Gleason

Wow, was this a stinker. The only character who was tolerable was Mr. Stewart. I've always liked that actor because he has a warm, humorous presence. Cryer was fine when he was not being hyperactive. Other than that this dumb, predictable nonsense is good for one viewing only. That is if you can get through that. Cryer gets his obligatory 80s scene where he does a song and dance number. It worked so well in Pretty in Pink why not throw it in here...Lord knows a filler is always welcome in a movie like this. The scene was so embarrassing and odd. We get it, you went to acting school and were in plays so you gotta let us know about it by strutting your Broadway stuff. Its as if he was using it as a vehicle or trying to prove himself to the industry. How versatile and showy of you....Unfortunately, how annoying for the viewer. The only thing more embarrassing was the botched attempt of humor when Redgrave uttered, "My God he's on drugs" to end the scene. I suppose that was supposed to be the big payoff. Cringe worthy! Then there are the endless chase sequences. I could go on but you get the point.

The only redeeming part of the movie for me was the touching scene in Arby's where Morgan runs into his Dad eating a beef sandwich. They share the sandwich and Morgan says he can't remember the last time they did that. This was a true, honest moment between a father and a son trying to restore their relationship after a long time away from each other. In a way it reminded me of the scene between Donald Sutherland and Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People in how the father and son have a genuine bond that nothing can break. Not even the mother. This is the Cryer that was human and so lovable as Ducky. IMO this scene shows his acting chops more than any song and dance number could.

' Morgan Stewart's Coming Home ' is great fun, a delightful 80's teen comedy unduly criticized because of it being credited to pseudonym Alan Smithee and not co-directors Paul Aaron and Terry Winsor. Infact it is an incredibly funny, sharply scripted Washington-based tale of a young man's attempts to seek the attention of strangers, his always far too busy parents Tom and Nancy - Tom is running for the U.S. senate and Nancy is the driving force behind Tom's campaign. Morgan is misguided in bringing his family closer together, relying on reruns of tv's ' The Brady Bunch ' but gains a true friend in fellow horror movie fan Emily, the two stumbling upon a plot to bring down his father! Jon Cryer and Viveka Davis are immensely likeable as the movie's teenage leads and they are wonderfully supported by the likes of Lynn Redgrave, Nicholas Pryor and Paul Gleason. Full of terrific one liners and crazy characters, it is a movie that can be watched time and time again.

I personally love "Morgan Stewart's Coming Home". Perhaps it's the scenes of Washington, D.C. (my hometown), perhaps it's that I've always had a crush on Jon Cryer. In any case, I think this is a great movie. Viveka Davis is in her best role since "Student Exchange". Jon Cryer is in rare form. If you loved him in "Pretty in Pink" you'll also enjoy him in this movie.