Dad's Movie Lists
 

Modern Problems (1981), Director: Ken Shapiro, rated PG

Chevy has the POWER to make this Holiday Season the funniest ever!

Film ClipStarring: Chevy Chase, Patti D'Arbanville, Mary Kay Place, Nell Carter, Brian Doyle Murray, Mitch Kreindel, Dabney Coleman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"According to these chicken guts, there's going to be an awfully big ruckus here this weekend." – Dorita

Why watch this? This is one of Chevy's better (and underrated) solo films.

Plot Summary: Jealous and stressed-out air traffic controller Max Fiedler, recently dumped by his girlfriend Darcy, experiences a freak accident involving nuclear waste. This incident inexplicably grants Max the power of telekinesis, which he then uses in attempts to win Darcy back and exact some revenge. His actions lead to comedic chaos and a weekend getaway at a friend's beach house where his powers grow uncontrollable, forcing him to confront his behavior.

Dad's Preview: In the '80s I was all-in on everything Chevy Chase, but not all this efforts were hits (the almost career-ending Nothing but Trouble (1999) comes to mind). This black comedy film is often overlooked. I will admit it's off the wall, but that is part of its odd charm. A miserable air traffic controller accidentally is contaminated by nuclear waste which gives him some interesting telekinetic powers. Mix that with maudlin personality, and we've got levitating bodies, a bloody nose, and a voodoo priestess. That's a witches brew of comedy


Alan Greisman; Michael Shamberg; 20th Century Fox

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