Take This Job and Shove It

This movie is much ado about nothing. But, then, what could you expect out of Dubuque, Iowa, where nothing ever happened except the filming of F.I.S.T.? The early 1980s was a big beer-drinking time, though, with everyone partying and being an urban cowboy. This movie is basically a chance to see an early version of Bob Chandler's Bigfoot (before he was such a monster) and hear some country music. It's kind of a lighthearted, fun, partying romp. In fact, the writer very well could have written this movie in a state of intoxication. There's a scene where Robert Hays's character is supposed to throw a beer can into a trash can. Duh! Iowa beverage cans had a 5 cent deposit on them. This must have been written by someone from out of state!

While Hays has certainly done better films, during his heyday (no pun), this one stands at about a C+. Perhaps 'Airplane' was one of his top, better ones, but heck -every actor has the right to "step down" into a smaller venue. He still pulls his own here. Okay - so Hershey isn't standing firm in a strong, fem role this time. But she also holds her own. And she's allotted moments where her true talent as an actress, comes out. That's the beauty of loving Hershey. Even in a very supportive role, she still paves her own.

For the most part - this film high-fives the typical, old-day blue-collar, Midwestern, parody; which for its time, was much appreciated. Just another example of the typical condescending, stuff-shirted Corp. puff attitudes. Here, David Keith (Harry) brilliantly portrays; alongside costar Thomerson (Ray), a feast-or-famine challenge. The game is on: workplace upgrades, threats of buy-out and the mgmt. changes - none of it for the better. Harry and Ray pull together, retaining the 'working man' dignity - and bravely shoot against the grain. Their portrayal is another example of the "worker" daring to confront the "big boys"; a common post blue-collared-ghetto movement of the time.

In the end (very decently directed, and out-laid) Hays (Macklin) wises up, realizing he; and his commadarie, were nearly side-lined by the very honchos who pretended to have his back.

I don't know why I like this film. It might have to do with the fact that when I was a young kid I was in love with monster trucks. The sight of all that destruction was exactly what my 9 year old brain needed. This is a pretty terrible movie as it turns out, but it was fun at the time. Oh well, a guilty pleasure for me anyhow.

When one looks at the cast of this incredibly bad film, one wonders who it could be so bad. There are good actors in this waste of celluloid...Art Carney, Royal Dano, David Keith,and Barbara Hershey, among others. In addition, the Johnny Paycheck song is a minor Country classic. There are also two genuinely funny, touching Bobby Bare/Lacy J. Dalton duets, " Beer Drinkin'Christians"(its far, far better-and even more profound- than the title makes it sound), and "Its a Dirty Job, but Someone's Got to do It." The latter song, about the collapse of a blue collar marriage, comes during one of the few moments of sociological -and human- insight in the whole mess, when David Keith and his wife are arguing about family finances and their kids futures over dinner.In the background, we see a statue of The Sacred Heart, and we realize that these people are, indeed, "beer-drinkin' Christians". The culprits are a moronic script that mixes crass., occasionally amusing slapstick with "biting' social criticism, and the flat-footed direction of Gus Trikonis, a true hack. To adapt a phrase from Ms. Dalton's song ( that sadly underused talent has a brief appearance as a bar-maid), the unfortunate soul that sits through this film will feel "..like a lame armadillo , dodging fast Chrysler's on interstate 10"...a 4. ( And that only because we get to see Ms. Hershey mud -wrestle, and because the songs are pretty good)

I like Robert Hays, I mean come on, hes the guy from Airplane and hes a great actor. This wasn't a bad performance, but not one of his better ones (see ANY of his other work) but this movie was really kind of dull. I'll give it this, the cinematography was kind of neat and the first 20 minutes were decent but something just wasn't right. Im not mad because I paid 2 bucks for this tape but from me to you,its in alot of little pieces right now. If you're a Hays fan watch Airplane or Fifty/Fifty or anything else.