Some
people are born with an extra-powerful funny bone. They don’t need an act or a
writer or a paying audience. They see humor around them every day and revel in
sharing their amusing observations with everyone. In The Last Laugh, Buddy Green (Richard
Dreyfuss) appears to fit this description. He started out being a great
stand-up comic whose agent (Chevy Chase) booked him for a spot on The
Ed Sullivan Show back in the 1960s, which was considered the crown jewel
of comedy gigs then. But Buddy just up and quit. His agent, Al Hart, hasn’t
seen or heard from him for half a century.
Imagine
Al’s surprise when Buddy turns out to be his tour guide in the elderly
assistance home he’s moving into. Even more surprising, Buddy is still getting
laughs and being the life of the party. But soon both men, who are in their
80s, get bored and decide to try show biz again. Al finds his old
rolodex and starts calling his contacts.
And
so begins a tough but revealing road trip from Los Angeles to New York, with
Buddy performing in stops along the way.
A comeback after
fifty years?
If successful, that
would rate cheers.
An agent thinks it’s
worth pure gold
but comic believes
he’s just too old.
Yet funny man still
cracks his jokes
and gets laughter
among most folks.
Agent and client hit
the road.
Both elderly, so it’s
a load.
Watching these two is
lots of fun
with a tear or two
when it’s done.
Chevy Chase and
Richard Dreyfuss
know the way to
entertain us!
Chevy the straight man
in this show,
while Richard’s humor
seems to glow.
Together they make
quite a pair.
Not praising them
would not be fair.
Chase
and Dreyfuss play off each other like the pros they are. Yes, Chase must hold
back his own humorous side to make way for Dreyfuss’ comic tour de force. But this casting works. While watching The Last Laugh, my husband and I found
ourselves laughing more than at any movie since Paddington 2.
Fortunately,
all cast members deliver the goods here. Standouts include: Andie MacDowell as
an adventurous hippy follower; Lewis Black as a fellow comic with an important
decision to make; Chris Parnell as Buddy’s worried son; and Kate Micucci as Al’s
concerned granddaughter.
Although
not a perfect movie (fantasy segment, I’m talking about you), The Last Laugh reminds us how important
it is to follow your dream at any age.
(Released
by Netflix and rated TV-MA.)
NOTE:
This review is dedicated to the late great George Bettinger, who will always be
Mr. Showbiz to me.
Labels: Chevy Chase, Richard Dreyfuss, The Last Laugh
