Hot to Trot

When it comes right down to it, my love for "Hot to Trot" stems from childhood. That's the best way to put it. I watched this movie all the time on HBO as a kid, and I loved it. And what makes this stand up today (for me) is that I find even more humor as an adult in John Candy's performance. He's what makes this movie so damn likable. I know that, deep down, it's just a silly horse movie, and without that key casting decision (Goldthwait, too, let's not count him out), this would have disaster written all over it.

But it's Candy's warmth and comedic charm that makes this work so well. I have no idea how well this would hold up if I were watching it with fresh adult eyes, but as it stands, I have quite the soft spot for "Hot to Trot".

7/10

Bobcat Goldthwait becomes an over-night success with the help of his late father's talking horse (voiced by John Candy) in this short little comedy that is pretty short on everything---including laughs. Dabney Coleman is wasted as the comic-book-styled villain. A typical "Mr. Ed" idea that lacks creativity and spunk. Flat from its starting point. 2 stars out of 5.

Just watched it again for about the third time. Yep, it's similar to Mr. Ed, but if you check your movie history, most of the movie releases are clones to what's been done; just a little twist here and there. Animal movies have proven themselves over and over again to be winners. This one's no different. If you're not an old-fart yet, you got at least one more hilarious flick to see. Thank God I'm open minded, not high-strung, nor hanging on too tight to appreciate this side-splitter. It's FUNNY!! Even if you don't get a laugh out of it, you'll at least get to watch Virginia Madsen strut her stuff. Relax with a drink and a snack, give it a look and laugh yourself light-headed!!!

It just gets funnier, every time I see it! The cultural subtext is genius. Bobcat is the idealistic misfit from a previous generation wandering lost through the 80's as yuppy Republicans seize control of America. A talking horse is just as reliable as any "stock" expert at picking winning stocks. It shows the utter ridiculousness of that profession. The cartoonish nature of the movie represents the cynical rejection of reality espoused by punk rock and other revolutionary movements of the time. I guess you just had to be there to understand it. Today, greedy corporate types have so subsumed this country that it is difficult to remember a time when they did not dominate. This movie brilliantly illustrates the culture clash that was occurring at that time. Vietnam and Watergate elevated protest to an art form, especially the DaDa, surrealist, mocking the system type of commentary.

Okay, this movie is damn funny. How could you not laugh at Bobcat Golthwait? With a voice like that? Come on, it's nothing but comic genius! Seriously, I first saw this movie when I was about 6 and have loved it ever since. If you enjoy comedies aimed at adult audiences that in effect appeal to six year olds, this film is definitely for you. (it may also fall into that category of "this movie is so bad you have to check it out just to believe that somebody agreed to make it..." also in this category: "Eating Raoul", the early Val Kilmer gem "Real Genius", "Killer Klowns From Outer Space", "Big Momma's House", the list is neverending)