Things Are Tough All Over

"Things Are Tough All Over" takes a little bit of a different turn from the stoner duo's previous movies. This one casts them as hustlers in Chicago who take a job driving a car to Las Vegas, not knowing that the car's owners -- C & C in dual roles as Arab princes -- have stashed money in the automobile.

Of course, the movie is just an excuse for a bunch of silliness. There's less in the way of drugs this time around, but there's plenty to make up for it. The best scene was probably the movie theater.

Yeah, just an excuse to be goofy, but that's what makes it great. Evelyn Guerrero reappears as Cheech's girlfriend Donna, and Rip Taylor also appears.

In their 4th film Cheech and Chong manage to offer enough familiarity to make the film pure for fans. Simultaneously, the film offers enough new material to make this one enjoyable. The movie is a time capsule for the hardships of the early 80's. A lot of the humor would be impossible to do in today's politically correct environment, but are still funny nonetheless. These guys were good at physical a s verbal comedy and this one showcases both. This was not as good as Up in Smoke, but still really good. The guys play multiple roles in this one and they are funny. The supporting cast is great in backing them up.

"Things Are Tough All Over" is about to overtake "Nice Dreams" as my favorite Cheech & Chong movie. If it wasn't for the movie theater scene it probably would be my favorite C&C movie. That scene isn't a deal breaker but it isn't that funny either. The rest of the movie, however, is very funny. There a lot of laughs. C&C are both in fine form. Their supporting cast (with the exception of their wives) is also very good. The only other demerit that I can give "Things Are Tough All Over" is that Donna's part is way too small.

The only C&C movie that is funnier than this one is Nice Dreams. This is their only movie that has an actual plot. It's strange that so many people don't even know this exists.

Like any Cheech & Chong film, ideally the viewer should be bombed in one way or another. That said, you probably couldn't make this film today; with political correctness being what it is, the various racial and ethnic stereotypes would surly create a boycott. Watch it anyway. Just keep in mind the year it was made and what was going on in the world at the time. As for the boys, Cheech seems to be having the most fun and for my money is the better actor. In their dual role as Arab brothers,Chong can't hold on to his accent. Rip Taylor is funny in a cameo. Lastly, it is always fun to see film of Las Vegas in it's various stages of development/demolition. A good, rainy day movie and like I said, it's best when "stoned".