User reviews

I found this movie in the $5.50 bin of Wal-Mart and only got it because it had Jack Nicholson in it. I had extremely low expectations, which is probably why I got such a surprise--This movie is hilarious.

It has a very dry line of sarcasm running all the way through it, particularly in the off-the-wall arguments between Nicholson's character and the wife.

Taking everything literally will not help you understand the humor. You have to view every line as some sort of comeback to a previous one, and that's when you see the laughable irony in the film. It really did surprise me; I enjoyed it!

And the acting is stellar. The characters really are portrayed well. They're all very comical characters, full of flaws, which just makes them more realistic in a rather ridiculous plot which honestly could have been thrown out the window.

Personally, I would have loved to just see a film about the marriage counseling, which is only glimpsed at, between Nicholson and his wife. Some of the funniest moments are in that part of the film, but, like I said, it's dry.

Enjoy!

With the talent involved here, it should have been a much better film than it is. Music by Georges Delarue, director Bob Rafelson...

Basically it's a lightweight romantic comedy which is attempting to emulate classics comedies about a rich girl meets non-rich guy (think Katherine Hepburn) but it just doesn't have the class or punch of earlier classics in this genre.

The cheap looking opening credits/cartoon are the first indication that something is amiss here. The first half is quite OK but after that, you just don't care enough about these people to stay with the film. There's something incredibly shallow about all those involved and the 'comedy' is just too obvious...problem animal, hispanic housekeeper, mismatched/deceived couples.

I don't think it's until Harry Dean Stanton makes an appearance quite late in the film that you think, aaah, now we've got a movie. But it's all too late.

MAN TROUBLE has some sort of bad pedigree. It's among Jack Nicholson's lowest rated movies and according to the IMDB trivia it went in theaters and left them after only three days which is quite surprising since Nicholson at the time was an A-list actor. So I had extremely low expectations for it but when I saw it last October I found myself kinda enjoying it for what it was. Not that I loved it but still I didn't hated like most of the other users here.

Classical singer Joan Spruance (Ellen Barkin) is divorced from the conductor and one day she finds her apartment ransacked and receives threatening phone calls by a maniac. The next day she calls guard dog trainer Harry Bliss (Nicholson) that gives her a German Shepherd and after a while Harry and Joan start to feel attracted to each other only to have Redmond Layls' (Harry Dean Stanton) lawyer offer Harry some money for retrieving a manuscript where Andy Ellerman wrote a biography of the boss. Later that night Joan is assaulted by the masked maniac tho she manages to escape. After some misunderstandings between Harry and Joan she'll be saved by Harry after Eddie Revere (who was the masked maniac all the time) wanted to dump her from a hill.

I agree with the other reviewers that in some points it was dumb but still there was a lot to like. The acting by all (Nicholson, Barkin, Stanton, Saul Rubinek and Raymond Cruz) was good and I loved the first minutes where the dog was introduced. Some of the situations made me also chuckle in some points so, based on this a movie can't be that bad.

Overall, one of the lesser movies of the stars probably because it was easy for the audience bash this movie instead of seeing it for what it is. If you manage to lower your expectations you'll end up getting a kick out of it.

Bob Rafelson is a puzzling director. After his big successes with "Fiver Easy Pieces" and "The King of Marvin Gardens", Mr. Rafelson doesn't seem to come out with a film project that will take him back to his past glory. This is evident with the disastrous "Man Trouble" shown on cable recently.

The film is a mess. Jack Nicholson, an actor who has worked with the director before with better results, plays the main role of Harry Bliss a trainer of dogs without any redeeming qualities. Harry is married to an Oriental woman and is working his marital problems with a counselor. Harry gets involved with Ellen Barkin, who is being stalked. The solution is to get a German Shephard dog to protect her. She has moved to her sister's swanky home where probably the only funny scene happens. We watch Ms. Barkin working with the dog and all her commands have to be in German, otherwise the dog doesn't respond! The others in the cast are totally wasted. Beverly D'Angelo has some good moments. Michael McKean, Saul Rubineck, Henry Dean Stanton, are seen in supporting roles.

See if there is something else to watch, but don't make the same mistake we made.

Dreadful Jack Nicholson vehicle from 1992 that is just not very good at all. Nicholson stars as a guard-dog trainer who becomes involved with a woman who is being stalked (Ellen Barkin). This is supposed to be a comedy, but nothing is very funny. The stalking side-story is used to cover up dead spots in the film, but this fails to work. This creates a film that is not very funny and not very dramatic. It is a film that is just in limbo. Bob Rafelson, usually a great director, just does not have it here. The screenplay is awful and overall the film is awful. Only the greatest Jack Nicholson fans will get anything worthwhile out of "Man Trouble". 2 stars out of 5.

I love Ellen Barkin, 'deed I do, but even she cannot make the romance with Jack Nicholson believable here. Even back in 1992, Nicholson was TOO OLD to play a romantic lead with a woman seventeen years his junior.

I was getting the creeps watching this in the fall of 2008, and suddenly I realized why. The pairing reminds me of John McCain and his trophy wife, Cindy. McCain: born 1936. Nicholson: born 1937. Cindy and Barkin: both born 1954.

It's obnoxious, the way Hollywood continues to indulge Nicholson (and, presumably, equally elderly male producers and writers) with this assumption that an audience can believe gorgeous young women will fall all over him. Oh, spare me. And start giving actresses Nicholson's own age parts like the plums HE gets, or at least, parts playing his love interest.

I like dogs, I like Ellen Barkin, and that's why I was able to endure the movie at all, though I was embarrassed for her being stuck with such a ludicrous part - and one which, in a movie meant to be funny, failed to take full advantage of her talent for comedy, especially her considerable physical comedy chops.

Also loved Lauren Tom as the Nicholson's wife! Again, the age difference is severe - Tom was born in 1961, making her fully 24 years younger than Nicholson and his character - but Tom's put-on accent (she was born in Chicago) and Nicholson's overall sleaziness suggest that she's a mail-order bride struggling to make the best of a groom who calls her "Iwo Jima." Tom, like Barkin, deserves better writing than this.

One star for Barkin, one star for Tom, and one star for the dog. Zero stars for the rest of it, particularly casting Nicholson and for the overly-complex plot lines.

1992's "Man Trouble" clearly just doesn't hold much interest or provide much intrigue for a view really somewhat of a letdown from director Bob Rafelson as a complex plot and lack of seriousness weigh the film down. Even though Jack's role seems out of place as clearly the romantic comedy genre has never been his cup of tea. Still Nicholson gives a bold and well done direct performance as Harry Bliss who's a wisecracking womanizer(certainly something Jack can relate to in real life)who runs a guard dog agency of all things! When a woman named Joan(Ellen Barkin)who's a lonely opera singer has her home broken into and robbed she seeks his aid and service. Then Joan moves into the mansion house of her free spirited and eccentric sister Andy(Beverly D' Angelo), yet trouble follows her and Harry as they always seem at the mercy and the target of hit men. The film then takes a wild chase of schemes involving shady characters and hit men that's blended in with the out of control canines and some romance between Harry and Joan. Overall this film is nothing great it moves pretty well yet the plot is so boring and dull with the humor being very offbeat while the romance is impossible for the key characters to obtain. Still it's worth a watch if your a Nicholson fan as Jack always delivers even in bad films, plus Beverly and Ellen both provide a sense of spice and sugar sex appeal to a film that went to the dogs.

The only good thing about this film is the dog - and he does not even appear on the credits, poor fellow. Even then, he just is not in the canine oscar league, as he is evidently overshadowed by other more gifted mongrels and thoroughbreds alike in dozens of films. Anyway, 4 for the dog, 3 for the film and near zero for ........who was the main actor? Oh,......Jack Nicholson. He must have rolled this one between good drinking sessions with his Las Vegas buddies. I'll give him half a point ....... and only because it was not Bruce Willis.

Well, I saw the movie last night and have to agree with Alex here. I think most people here expected more than just an entertaining movie. The humor is based on silly situations and conversations, and if you can't laugh about something just because it's so darn silly, you indeed won't like the humor in this movie. I can appreciate that humor from time to time, and yesterday was one of those times. I expected nothing much from this movie and it turned out good for me. And Nicholson plays it alright if you ask me (since some are of another opinion here). My opinion: a nice one for down the road, when you're out of options to do something and you just want to lay back and think about nothing...

I'm a huge fan of Ellen Barkin. She's just soooo cute. Nicholson usually provides one with good entertainment value. But even they couldn't rescue this one. It really wasn't very funny, and not all that romantic. I understand Nicholson has/had a certain charisma that overcame his looks when he was in his 30's and 40's. But I just can't see Barkin's character falling for him. Not believeable. Worth seeing for fans of Barkin, but even they will know it's not very good. Grade: D-

I think "Man Trouble" is one of Jack Nicholson's funniest movies with brilliant dialogues with lots of nifty man vs woman jokes (hurrah for the writer!).

Jack doesnt try to be funny though, he is just his usual frustrated self, but that is part of the charm of this legendary buddha figure of the acting world. Jack is funny and charming even when he just would sit in a chair.

In "Man Trouble¨ Jack plays a dog trainer who comes to the rescue of the lovely Ellen Barkin, who is being stalked by some mysterious creep.

"Man Trouble" is a gem of a comedy. I have been cherishing this movie for years. Seen it multiple times and I keep loving it. The woman vs man jokes are just to die for. Hilarious. Good date movie as well. But it is more than that....

Comedies often get underrated, but I really cherish movies like "Man Trouble" because they have that rare feel good touch, that works as a charm EVERY time I want some comic relief...

Dont believe the low ratings, for any Nicholson fan this is a must see. For any fan of quirky romcom comedies it doesnt get much better than this! Enjoy!

OK...this movie may not be academy award material, but it does have a quaint little charm to it that makes it an enjoyable little movie. The relationship that builds between Jack Nicholson and Ellen Barkin goes from little more than an intended con job (he's being blackmailed to steal a manuscript for a tell-all book from one of his clients) on the part of Nicholson to something very strong between the two. A strong friendship also develops between Nicholson and the dog he uses as part of his scam. The movies funniest moment stem from Nicholson's frustration over his feelings for Barkin and what he has to do to get the manuscript. Although not widely received by critics and considers a rather large flop, Man Trouble has a sincere charm to it that makes it a gem...as long as you're not a snobby wannabe film critic, i believe if you give the film a chance, you will come to really enjoy it.

Despite Jack Nicholson being an A-list actor, somehow "Man Trouble" is a film that flew under the radar....hitting theaters and leaving them very quickly. And, after watching it, I can see why it's one of his lesser-known films...the script is simply a mess. It's a shame, as the characters were interesting and unusual.

Describing the plot isn't easy, as there are MANY story elements, goofy characters and plot twists. Joan (Ellen Barkin) is being stalked by some maniac. But instead of going to the police, she consults a dog trainer with protection dogs. Harry (Nicholson) insists that his dog can protect her...and soon, with little warning, Joan and Harry become lovers...which is a problem since Harry is already married and he failed to tell Joan this.

At the same time, there's a disjoint plot involving Joan's sister (Beverly D'Angelo)...a kooky lady with strange tastes in men. Her boyfriend (Harry Dean Stanton) really started to seem interesting....but his character was WAY underdeveloped. Suffice to say, he's rich....and a bit scary.

While these disparate story elements are in themselves interesting, together they just don't work. Characters come and go and seem way underwritten and the ending just made no sense at all. In fact, the script seems much like it was filmed in the middle of a re-write...like it wasn't quite finished and all the plot elements not completely worked out in the story. A confusing mess at times...and a waste of interesting characters played by amazing actors.

I saw this movie on a second-class channel this Sunday, and I have to say that I liked it. It's just a romantic comedy, and if you keep that in mind, you will also like it. Of course, maybe Jack Nicholson is overcasted, but it proves how capable is he of doing any kind of character, in any kind of movie. It doesn't worth buying, but I think it worth the rental fee.

How Nicholson could let himself be talked into this loser is beyond me. I hope that the producer lost whatever he had on Jack 'cause I don't want to see another wreck like this for quite a while.

An opera singer (Ellen Barkin) is feeling vulnerable since the break-up of her marriage. She hires a cowboy dog trainer (Jack Nicholson) and have dogs to protect her and her property from intruders. The trainer has ulterior motives himself though.

A screwball comedy that falls flat on its face which is surprising given the talent on offer, including a re-teaming of Nicholson and director Bob Rafelson having been teamed with FIVE EASY PIECES (1970), THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS (1973) and THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (1981). Part of the problem is a distinct lack of chemistry between Barkin and Nicholson

The reviews are so universally bad that they drew my curiosity. Despite being a competent production indeed the movie is a creative mess and a waste of talent. There is zero energy and chemistry between the not so likeable leads and their dialogue is terribly boring. The script feels like a lot of stacked ideas instead of being cleverly interlocked. The dog itself is wasted and just a device to move Jack next to Ellen.

If you are just curious just don't watch this movie. It's not even that bad to just laugh at it. I watched a faded 4:3 pan and scan print and it enhanced the experience in a bad way.

Bob Rafelson, who directed Jack Nicholson in "5 Easy Pieces," has the honors of directing him in this comedy, which unfortunately falls flat.

Nicholson co-stars with Ellen Barkin. Beverly D'Angelo co-stars as well, but Miss D'Angelo can't get a good role since "Coal Miner's Daughter."

Nicholson is Harry Bliss in this one. He is a dog-trainer with a past. Barkin and D'Angelo are sisters going through hard times. Barkin, an opera singer, is in the process of divorcing her husband and sister, D'Angelo, has a manuscript that the mob wants.When Barkin's home is robbed, she takes refuge in D'Angelo's house when the latter goes away. When threatened there, she meets Nicholson who sells her a trained dog.

The film deals with how the 2 fall in love but then really goes down hill when they attempt to rescue D'Angelo, who the mob has set up in a mental hospital. In addition to this, the mob attorney, Saul Rubinek, had asked Nicholson to work for them in an attempt to get the manuscript back.

The humor is thin here. Nicholson has a Japanese wife referred to as Iwo Jima. How gross!

If it were not for great acting skillings by Ellen Barkin and Beverly D'Angelo, this film would never have been produced, they held up the leading male actor and the dog stole the show from everyone.

This had to be the worst film of 1992, no laughs for me at all.

Despite the fact that this movie has Jack Nicholson, it isn't saved by it. How much I would like to love everything Mr Nicholson does, I just cannot get used to his more "dumb" roles, like in this one, like in Prizzi's Honor and The Fortune. I think I read somewhere that Mr Nicholson is good in comedies in which the situation is funny, not the character he's playing, and I have to say I quite agree with that. I mean, As Good As It Gets is rated a comedy but, oh my god, what a difference with this one.

About the film: it's weak. As I said, Mr Nicholson doesn't save it and Ms Barkin is a non-interesting person and completely miscasted for this one: she's not funny, but irritating. Anyway, the plot is weak, the "jokes" are weak and the acting is weak. I cannot even say something about the directing, because I'm not sure whether there was one...

I cannot live with myself to rate a movie with Mr Nicholson less than 5 out of 10, so I gave it 5. Without him, it would probably have been 4.

My review was written in July 1992 after a screening in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

Jack Nicholson fans should feel cheated by "Man Trouble, an insultingly trivial star vehicle. After some initial business attracted by his name on the marquee, film is fated for pay-cable use.

Pic reunites Nicholson with the creative team of director Bob Rafelson and scripter Carole Eastman, who in 1970 propelled him to stardom with "Five Easy Pieces". This belated followup is strike two for Italian-funded Penta Pictures, after its recent Tom Selleck flop "Folks!".

In a role that's way too comfortable for him, Nicholson portrays a dog trainer who meets opera singer Ellen Barkin when she needs a guard dog after a break-in and other harassment. Film appears initially promising, with Nicholson and Barkin speaking in German to the German Shepherd named Duke.

In a screenplay resembling a stage farce rather than a movie, Eastman drags in several pointless subplots. Main one concerns Barkin's sister Beverly D'Angelo, who's penned a tell-all book about her relationship with reclusive billionaire Harry Dean Stanton. Barkin is getting divorced from her conductor/huband David Clennon and has been threatened by some homicidal thug who may be the notorious local slasher.

None of this adds up to entertainment or even momentarily involving escapism, as the romantic comedy/thriller genre typified by "Charade' or "Foul Play" seems beyond the filmmakers' combined grasp. Instead there's strenuously overacted comic set pieces, most of which fail.

Nicholson's patented ne'er-do-well persona seems on automatic pilot, though Lauren Thom as his Japanese wife is amusing in her pidgin-English Bickersons routine with him in front of a marriage counselor. Barkin is saddled with completely unnatural dialogue as well as some overdone physical shtick that seems left over from her last comedy, "Switch".

D'Angelo steals a couple of scenes as Barkin's sister, enough to indicate the film would have improved considerably if she and Barkin had swapped roles. As it is, the Nicholson-Barkin chemistry never percolates.

A talented supporting cast is wasted, including director Paul Mazursky in a nothing role. Film buffs should look for Mary Robin Redd as a nurse; this co-star 26 years ago in Sidney Lumet's "The Group" hasn't been on the big screen of late.

Tech credits, from Stephen H. Burum's lensing to the late Georges Delerue's minor musical score, are slick.

Final insult is the arbitrary overlay of the end credit smack dab in the middle of the final scene for no apparent reason other than to chase what's left of the audience.

Oddly enough, this movie was produced by the famous Cecchi Gori group and Silvio Berlusconi. It only made 4-5 million dollars with a budged of 30 millions. That's very unfortunate, considering the cast it had.