User reviews

I'm never against remakes. What is there to lose? If the remake is inferior it just reaffirms the rarity of and how difficult it is to produce a true classic. If the remake is superior, then we have a better movie! This movie stands on its own as fair and light entertainment. The performances are right in line with popcorn comedy and will produce a sufficient number of chuckles and laughs.

The problem, of course, is this movie cannot stand on its own. If you remake a classic, you have to make the comparison. This version just doesn't measure up to the 1950 original on any level.

Since many people have not seen the 1950 Born Yesterday, I think this movie will do them just fine. Sooner or later though, if they love movies, they're going to stumble across Judy Holliday's outstanding performance and then this remake may seem a bit weak.

As with most attempts at remaking classics, the 1993 version of Born Yesterday falls far short of the original. It does, however, maintain a charm of its own and it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. However, I certainly, without reservation and whole-heartedly recommend the original as a "must-see"!

Remake of the 1950 Judy Holliday/William Holden/Broderick Crawford hit farce, adapted from Garson Kanin's popular play, about millionaire businessman hiring a tutor for his dizzy girlfriend, which backfires when she becomes wise enough to know she's being played for a dupe. In the leads, Melanie Griffith, then-husband Don Johnson and John Goodman all have a propensity to lapse into shtick, but, for her part, Griffith is well-cast and very likable. The men have a harder time: Johnson is charmingly low-keyed in a dull role (the problems with it go back to the play) and Goodman works hard at being both vulgar and sympathetic. Not a complete success by any means, this update still hasn't figured out how to make the last act work (the plot mechanisms become congealed, the action becomes stagy and the finale is limp), but there are some nice laughs spread around and an occasionally witty flash of original thought. ** from ****

The casting of crude millionaire Harry Brock is crucial to the success of this film simply because he dominates the story even when he isn't on screen. Choose the wrong actor and the whole thing will collapse because he is the origin of the story's conflict and therefore needs to be strong and bold. Luckily, the producers cast beefy John Goodman in the role and he managed to strike just the right combination of pent-up rage and apple-cheeked smiles. Although he's a Citizen Kane-type monster who slaps his girlfriend around and believes the offer of jewellery or money can soothe all ills, he also displays moments of genuine emotion that makes him quite likable at times. I guess the idea was to show how the nice guy he once was has been devoured by his hunger for money – hardly original, but nicely played by Goodman, anyway.

The story is essentially a wake-up call to the slumbering giant that is the American public masquerading as a romantic comedy. A book called Democracy in America – which was actually written in the 19th Century by a Frenchman named Tocqueville – plays a big part. By studying its concepts, Brock's moll Billy (Melanie Griffith) awakens to the fact that she is being duped by Harry, who represents the forces of rampant capitalism, and rises up against her oppressor. Whether the message is particularly relevant to its target audience is open to question, but perhaps its assumption that it won't really be taken too seriously allows the film to make its symbolism so literal that few will miss the parallels. For example when Ed Devery (Edward Hermann), Brock's right-hand man who clearly feels he has sold his soul ('I died twelve years ago,' he tells Brock after his employer shows concern for striking him in a rage) picks up a copy of the book it signals a reawakening of his conscience which is quickly quashed when Brock snatches it from his hand and throws it to the ground. Others, like the radio presenter, pay lip service to the concept without really understanding it. The way the message is couched in this straightforward simplicity raises the film higher than others of its type.

In a bland, thankless role that goes nowhere, Don Johnson wears horn-rimmed glasses and combs his hair forward to dispel memories of designer-clad cops. Even if he was anything more than a workmanlike actor he would struggle to do anything with the role. Griffith is likable enough, but her rapid transformation from bubble-headed blonde to hair-in-a-bun brain-box is so fast it fairly takes your breath away. One minute she's impatiently searching for something to watch during the dead time between the soaps and Entertainment Tonight and the next she's teaching a group of Senators the American constitution.

The film itself is entertaining enough; it certainly isn't as bad as you'd expect, and it's rating on this site is surprisingly low. But then, I suppose a lot of people watch this because they've seen (and liked) the original, which is a major hurdle for any film to overcome.

Born Yesterday (1950) is one of funniest films ever made. This

version has Melanie Griffith attempting the impossible,trying to

recreate the role that won Judy Holiday a best actress Oscar. Although Griffith tries hard, she is no match for Holiday, and Don

Johnson is certainly no substitute for William Holden. The only one

of the cast who comes close to the original, is John Goodman. For anybody that doesn't know the story outline, Harry Block,(John

Goodman ) a crooked junk tycoon hires a journalist Paul Verrall

(Don Johnson ) to teach his girlfriend Billie Dawn, some social

skills, as she is unused the high society life of the Washington

elite. In a choice between the two, watch the original.

this is sort of OK as an afternoon TV movie but stands no comparison against the Oscar nominated and winning original.

The Cukor version has class written all over it with stupendous performances from Broderick Crawford, Judy Holiday and William Holden, great comic timing and real pace.

This is just ambling along, making the motions, insipid in comparison, the famous gin rummy scene is a bit embarrassing really. John Goodman can't make his mind up whether he wants to be a bully or sympathetic, his pest controller in Anachrophobia was a far better comic performance I think. Don Johnson is so low key he seems to be sleepwalking through the role. Melenie Griffith was far better in Working Girl with an all round superior character transformation. So maybe the script and especially direction have to take the blame to a greater degree.

Cheap off-cut compared to prime rump steak.

Judy Holliday won a well-deserved Oscar in 1950 for "Born Yesterday," which was directed by George Cukor. The cast also included Broderick Crawford (fresh from his Oscar-Triumph; All The King's Men) and William Holden. One of the great political satires of all time, "Born Yesterday" still remains a classic in every sense of the word. Then comes this.....a remake with Melanie Griffith in the title role. The only thing I can say is that they're (the producers) are lucky they can't be charged with capitol punishment! This film is a total disaster....A FLOP!

If at first you take and forget that this is a remake, it will help for those who remember the original actors and such to get through this. On the other hand, as this is a current movie, (at that time) and sometimes updating a story can be entertaining, fun and necessary. Some stories don't seem to age well, now I'm not at all talking about this movie in that context. But with all said and done, after the movie ended, I had a good time. I really enjoyed it, so did many others, when "Born Yesterday" played in theaters . Don Johnson, as Paul, the reporter was good, no tough-talking bad boy role here. Then there was, the third character, John Goodman. Here is a comedic big-man! He has and brings a whole different ingredient to this story. If it had been another big man, it would have been all together not the same. Now Melanie Griffith, I have always had a 'soft' spot for in my heart for her, in a friendly way. She came in behind Judy Holiday and took on the role of a modern day 'simpleton' wife, who had her routine and therefore was happy as a pig in mud. It won't win any awards, but if you just look at that body of work and give it an honest chance, it comes through, delivering good laughs.

The chemistry and interest among Johnson and Griffith was sustaining and entertaining which if it's lacking, will ruin just about anything that the main story could offer a viewer. Born Yesterday, has a propensity for trying. Sometimes 'trying' is too much and doesn't work and sometimes the movie makers hit a hard-and really good remake and make a new stake in the film remake game. At any rate, this was an enjoyable film that I would recommend to a comedy fan. With John Goodman playing it out and out funny and the bad-guy too, you can't miss. It's tough to beat William Holden, in a dirty-day mature adult affair type story, so this doesn't have the feeling to it that the original has. Even so they are two different films that can be enjoyed. The supporting cast was a nice choice as well as the main personalities. (**)

The rude, selfish and arrogant businessman Harry Brock (John Goodman) travels to Washington with his mistress Billie Dawn (Melanie Griffith), his adviser Ed Devery (Edward Herrmann) and his assistant JJ (Max Perlich) to have business meetings with senators. Billie is a former showgirl from Las Vegas and does not have culture, embarrassing Harry in the social events. He hires the journalist Paul Verrall (Don Johnson) to teach Billie that is an intelligent woman and soon she does not accept the treatment spent by Harry toward her. Further, Billie and Paul disclose dirty businesses of Harry and fall in love with each other.

"Born Yesterday" is a remake of the 1950 film with a storyline inspired in "Pygmalion" (1938) and "Educating Rita" (1983). The romance is entertaining and funny and the gorgeous Melanie Griffith shows a great chemistry with her husband Don Johnson. John Goodman completes the cast with great performance. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Renascer de Uma Mulher" ("The Rebirth of a Woman")

This remake of the 1950 film which starred Judy Holliday was okay, but nothing super. The major problem was credibility with Melanie Griffith playing "Billie Dawn." I'm sorry, but with her voice and mannerisms in all the movies I've seen her in, it's not believable enough for me to see her as a woman who suddenly gets very smart. Anything is possible! However, she gets too smart, too fast and it's just too much. "Yeah, right," is what you wind up saying over and over. However, I'm not saying she didn't do a good job acting, it's just that I know her too well to have her be credible in this particular role.

I also was sorry to hear another example of a classic-era film re-done with profanity. Here, John Goodman (no surprise) blasphemes here and there as boyfriend "Harry Brock.".This story is nice enough with a bunch of good messages without having to mess it up with needless profanity and sexual innuendos. Can't Hollywood make ONE modern-day comedy without that? Speaking of credibility, I can picture a slob like Goodman being paired with Roseanne Barr, but a hot babe like Griffith? No way.

No wonder there was little chemistry in this film.

However, I have to say Don Johnson, of Miami Vice television fame, was a very likable character in a pleasant low-key role as the tutor-reporter. I was never a big fan of his but I liked him in this movie.

Still, the 1950 version was good enough to stand on its own, not needing a re-make in the first place.

Noting that the folks who give out the Razzie Awards put Melanie Griffith up for Worst Actress I have to say in her defense that she certainly is no Judy Holliday. In fact the film is like a summer stock production of the play.

Which ran back in the post war years for four years on Broadway during the post World War 2 years and starred Judy Holliday, Paul Douglas, and Gary Merrill. The original film which came out in 1950 had Judy Holliday winning her Bes Actress Oscar. Broderick Crawford and William Holden played the two male leads.

This 90s remake is updated to suit the times and Harry Brock the self made millionaire could have been modeled on Donald Trump. John Goodman is the same kind of bully Crawford was and Trump is. The kind of man who as Oscar Wilde said knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

His companion/mistress is Griffith a former Las Vegas showgirl who acknowledges she is one ignorant bimbo. But Goodman decides she needs a bit of education to fit in Washington society. So he hires writer Don Johnson to tutor her. She proves a more than apt pupil.

Johnson and Griffith herself discover she has the means to bring Goodman down. Let's say one of the cleverest of Goodman's schemes bites him where the bite marks don't show.

Goodman and Johnson are good replacements for Paul Douglas/Crawford and Gary Merrill/Holden respectively. But Griffith while good seemed to be channeling too much of Judy Holliday in her performance. She missed the chance to make the role her own.

Still I'd see it. Especially since we endured four years of Harry Brock presidency.

Basically this is a watchable enough movie that however as a comedy is too lacking in humor and it suffers from some poor character treatment.

It's by no means an horrible movie but it's one of those movies that make you wonder why it was made in the first place. The movie as a whole makes a pointless and redundant impression, especially when considering that this is a remake as well, of a 1950, multiple Oscar nominated, movie.

It's not a comedy with over-the-top humor or characters are comical situations. Instead its humor is more subtle with as a result that this movie doesn't provide one big laugh. The humor lacks some real creativity, even though the actors try really hard to make the humor still work.

Without the fine actors the movie really would had been a lesser one. John Goodman, Melanie Griffith, Don Johnson and Fred Dalton Thompson are all fine actors. They still give the movie some flair and joy. However their characters don't really work out as good as they could had been.

Griffith's and Johnson's roles are too blank and boring. Almost as if they were holding back. John Goodman's character is a hard one to understand. It's unclear whether the movie makers wanted to make him look sympathetic or like a ruthless hard corrupt business man. You don't know if you're supposed to like or hate him, which also does provide the movie with some uneven moments. Some serious poor character treatment if you ask me.

But despite all its flaws, this movie still remains a perfectly watchable one. After all it's not a movie that will bore you to death or will make you cringe. However it's also a movie that you can easily do without seeing it.

5/10

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I think this remake of 1950's "Born Yesterday" with Judy Holliday is better than the original! Melanie Griffith is great as Billie Dawn, because she's so sweet and soft-spoken at the end...you can really see the transformation! And I think John Goodman is really funny when he goes on his tirades. I especially like the part when Paul arrives after going to the newspaper office. He and Billie are carrying on a simple conversation about each other's health. Harry (Goodman) keeps looking and them, then says abruptly, "OK, can the tea party crap!!". I just think that's so funny! =)

I also think Don Johnson is great as Paul. He should wear those glasses all the time! But even though I like this version better, I still think William Holden was better in the original.

Therefore, I give "Born Yesterday" a 10 out of 10!

Despite the bad reviews this movie received, I didn't think it was that bad. Maybe it's just because it's a remake and it's a known fact that people just don't like remakes. I don't remember ever having encountered a remake that people liked more than the original. And nostalgia for the originals plays a huge part in this, trust me.

But I don't think they changed too much of the script, and it's the script which I really liked anyway. While for the other aspects, well, I guess I have to admit that most of the acting wasn't particularly good, the only character I really felt was played with sparkle was Melanie Griffith as Billie.

Anyway, it is worth a watch especially if you haven't seen the original version (same title, 1950) in which case you might be kinder on your comments. If you loved the original, don't like remakes, then be cautious!

Putrid remake of the classic play and film about a scrap metal tycoon (a non stop shouting Goodman) turned real estate mogul who pays a Washington newsman (Johnson) to educate his feisty girlfriend (wretched Griffith). This film proves that some treasures should be kept buried and left alone.

I didnt expect much, but what was most enjoyable were the three excellent performances by John Goodman, Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. They made this charming story rise to such an enjoyable level.

The good: great acting performances, served by a solid direction, guided by a lovely, endearing story.

Leave it to Melanie Griffith to be such a lovely, charming, pure lady who wraps her tutor (Don Johnson) around her little finger...

Born Yesterday is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen!! Melanie Griffith is terrific as she plays dumb Billie Dawn who is constantly mocked for her lack of political knowledge. Her boyfriend, played by John Goodman, wants to smarten her up and goes to great lengths to do so. What happens from there may surprise you!! The plot is intriguing and keeps you interested the entire time. Great movie to show at parties. I've hosted a number of parties over the years, and people seem to like this movie the best, so now I only show this at parties. Can't go wrong with Born Yesterday!! It's a great comedy with two very talented actors.

You can never recreate a classic, but that's no reason to dismiss BORN YESTERDAY.

The lead trio of Melanie Griffith, John Goodman and Don Johnson are terrific as they update the classic play/film about a dizty blonde who unleashes her untapped brain power under the tutelage of a newspaper reporter. Goodman in particular is outstanding, drawing our hatred and sympathy with ease as the bribing workaholic fervently amassing a fortune when money is far from his main problem. It's impossible to recall him ever being this effective or adding so much to a film.

All things considered, however, this is Griffith's film. True, she's no June Holliday, and this is certainly not the 1950 landmark picture. But our sexy star is not out of her league in bringing Billie Dawn to color, ably growing as her once-vacant head is filled with knowledge and free thought. Laugh-out-loud comedy is not necessarily her forte, but she can elicit a chuckle here or there when called upon. Her chemistry with tutor-turned-fiancé Johnson doesn't exactly set the screen on fire, yet the pair remain fun to watch.

When it comes to BORN YESTERDAY, the best advice has already been given: stick with the original. That said, if you wind up catching this remake and judge it on its own merits, you'll be pleasantly entertained. It's a harmless, if unspectacular effort.

Since half the audience doesn't realize that this movie was a remake, let me be the first to announce that it is. Melanie Griffith once again picks a decent role for her to portray. She is not only breath taking like always, she does the role justice and does it well. John Goodman, who made his career as the lovable /devoted husband on the hit series Rosanne, has been known to be funny as well as lovable. Here, Goodman takes a chance by playing a mean / greedy political businessman. He is not only scary at times, but amazing. Since then, Goodman has gone on to do a series of dramatic roles. Born Yesterday is one of his first well done dramatic performances. It was also nice to see Don Johnson and Melanis Griffith in another movie together. Even though they are no longer an item, they have remained friends and kept a good relationship on screen. This is something hard to find in Hollywood.

Watching this movie is not the waste of time most movies entail; I am not a Melanie Griffith fan, but it's worth watching for (1) script (2) camera work (4) de Tocqueville (5) (above all) the 1st ten amendments of a hallowed document.

I think the primary reason this movie got such horrid reviews is that it depends on what you're critiquing. Critics may have a point if they're talking about comparing it to the 1950 version in terms of quality of acting. Maybe you'll see a lack of je ne sais quoi. Melanie Griffith is no Judy Holliday. John Goodman is no Broderick Crawford. And Don Johnson is no William Holden. But it was made for the era in which it was filmed and for the audience of that time, and these are actors of the time to which people could relate. And as a child of that era, I saw this version first. And if any of these critics were conscious and lived as a common person in the real world for the last 5 years, I think they'd rapidly change their tune as it relates to the message it sends and how it delivers it. You could even say it was a foreshadowing of the ego that ate America.

Given the state of our country and the world, this is a movie that I think every high school student should be required to watch (and maybe some childlike adults as well). It is simple, down to earth, and oh my god, so relevant. That's what I love about it. It gives me such catharsis to watch it and I've recommended it to a lot of people as a suggestion to step back and look at the big picture, especially given the world in which we're currently living. I think the 1950 version compliments it if you take them in that order.

While the movie is entertaining, it is not an unforgettable masterpiece. If you haven't got anything better to do it's not a bad way to kill time but don't expect this movie to be thought-provoking. Absurd as it may be, it is still interesting to watch how Melanie Griffith goes from being a bimbo to composing songs about the constitution and appreciating Van Gogh paintings. Don Johnson sort of blends into the background as Goodman wildly raves on and on shouts at everyone in sight while Griffith tries her best to prove that her character is more than just a pretty face.