Fast wie in alten Zeiten (1980)

Fast wie in alten Zeiten: Directed by Jay Sandrich. With Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Charles Grodin, Robert Guillaume. Wrongfully accused of a bank robbery, a writer seeks the help of his ex-wife, who is now married to the soon-to-be Attorney General. of California.

“I wouldnu0026#39;t say Neil Simonu0026#39;s comic wit is at full steam in this light-hearted comedy, but there are certainly a plethora of laughs to go around.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eChevy Chaseu0026#39;s Nick Gardenia is offishly matter-of-fact funny as only he can be, a writer and journalist (have you noticed Simonu0026#39;s protagonists are nearly always writers?) of ill-repute who somehow once ended up in a Mexican jail for 2 years and is now on the path to recovery when a couple of bank robbers kidnap and use him for a heist. His mug is prominently featured in the robbery photos and then the fun ensues when he goes to his ex-wifeu0026#39;s (Hawnu0026#39;s) house to engender her help after being let go by the robbers and being fully on the run from the law.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe movie is mostly fast-paced slapstick farce, a host of retreaded clichés (the dogs, for example), and quick jokes. Charles Grodin is actually quite funny and charming as her straight-arrow District Attorney (soon to be Attorney General) husband, Ira. Given u0026quot;Midnight Run,u0026quot; I think Grodin should be considered a mint for American glib comedy a la Albert Brooks.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eItu0026#39;s pointless to go much deeper into the story as the plot merely drives slapstick scenes one into the next. The story is essentially the sum of its parts.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eGoldie Hawn is in full-tilt cutie mode (she really was a doll) but carries the movie very well as a hopeless do-gooder who wants to help everybody, including her ex-husband and every stray dog in 10 surrounding counties. Chevy Chase often gives the impression of making comedy look effortless (think Fletch), but he is REALLY giving into pratfalling a la his SNL days in this one. The supporting cast with Guillaume and others is excellent.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is completely worth a watch if you catch it as in many ways this movie is superior to the Hawn and Chase hit u0026quot;Foul Play.u0026quot;”