So Fine

'So Fine'(1981) Absolutely hysterical comedy about a college professor forced by one- syllable mobster( played perfectly by 7'2'' giant Richard Kiel)to join his manufacturer father in the garment industry and inadvertently invents see-through jeans that become a national rage. Ryan O'Neal( believe it or not) is very good as the flustered professor and the great Jack Warden as the father, all but steals the film. Non- stop laughs for 90 minutes

this movie is a modern remake of Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice", with Eddie as Shylock. Other references to Shakespeare in this movie include the "pound of flesh" quotation during the scene where the professor is being grilled by the university board, the professor's various "Henry IV" quotations to the employees of the dress store ("we the happy few..."), the Othello production, and the ending -- which takes place, of course, in Venice.

Hm, anybody else see the "pound of flesh" reference flashing through some see-through jeans?

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There were comedies not that funny yet still provided a fair amount of entertainment. And in some cases, the actual plot took place halfway in and wound up not meaning a lot to the actual structure of the film, story, or characters...

One such vehicle is the semi-slapstick SO FINE by first time director and usual Hollywood writer Andrew Bergman, in which Ryan O'Neal plays a semi-stuffy college professor up for tenure...

He's reluctantly brought into his father's failing New York City clothing/garment business thanks to a nefarious criminal, played by James Bond heavy Richard Kiel, ready to take over Jack Warden's crippled enterprise unless something's done about the massive debt...

Much of story has O'Neal as a fish out of water dolt like his quirky spectacle-donning klutz with hidden sex appeal smitten with a free spirited woman WHAT'S UP DOC? (O'Neal even calls his plight a bedroom farce)...

Here he's in lust with an Italian moll while trying his very best not to get killed by her husband, the monstrous Kiel, who destroys a victorious pinball machine: It's nice seeing the beloved cult actor in a "larger" role than usual, his abundant size serving as more than punchline wallpaper; and he's a genuine threat despite the wacky shenanigans...

Meanwhile, O'Neal has almost no chemistry with the blond starlet, who looks and acts like a sexy throwaway bit player rather than a co-lead in a romantic comedy (looking as if Judy Landers bought 51% stock on Anne De Salvo)...

With annoyingly dated 1980's style sex-up contrived side-characters aside, SO FINE is best known for the provocative designer jeans with plastic in the back where the pockets should be, exposing a woman's assets...

And yet, other than a quick montage of the business skyrocketing, this particular device has little to do with the overall story - except that it accidentally derived during the love triangle mainline (after a "one foot out the door" situation), which is, for better or worse, what everything ultimately amounts to.

Ryan O'Neal gives a weak, forgettable performance, but "So Fine" is saved by Jack Warden's excellence as the beleaguered garment manufacturer. Mariangela Melato is extremely sexy, while Richard Kiel is extremely intimidating as Melato's jealous husband. Unfortunately, whenever O'Neal is on screen, which is often, the film grinds to a halt. If you enjoyed Jack Warden in "Used Cars", this is a must see. The writing is a mixed bag, though at times surprisingly clever (the see through jeans). There are also some slapstick scenes that fall flat. If Alan Arkin had been cast in Ryan O'Neal's part, this could have been a classic. - MERK

What makes this movie a comedy classic are the sub-plots involving Ryan O'Neal as a straight laced academic who gets involved with a sexy woman who is the girl friend of Big Eddie (the biggest bad guy you will ever met). While I wouldn't want to compare Ryan O'Neal with Cary Grant there is a feel of some of the Grant roles where he plays the shy awkward guy rather than his normal sophisticated role. This movie has the feel of an old time screwball comedy but with some scenes that only could be shown in a more modern movie. I will never forget the passionate couch scene where the girl breaks out in opera.

Well worth the viewing if you can find it.

Unfortunately it is not available on DVD yet... that needs to change!