The 4th Tenor

I saw this movie on TV tonight and I really enjoyed it, even though I'm not a big fan of opera. Rodney Dangerfield was brilliant as Lupo, with his sharp wit and decent nature. It's quite a shame that he's not here anymore. What I also liked, is that everything worked out just great in the end. There were also some attractive women in T4thT, namely Gina (Annabelle Gurwitch) and Rosa (Anita De Simone). The whole wine thing was pretty interesting as well. If there's some soft drink of some sort (as I'm not too keen on anything alcohol-ish) to make a guy more attractive to women or a good sportsman, someone should let me know (ha-ha-ha)(big laugh). I would recommend this movie to most people, and I would certainly like to watch it again.

A comedy like this won't hold up to today's standards. It doesn't have the acidic bite, the sarcasm or the snappy gags that make modern comedies so successful, despite the fact that it was written by & stars Rodney Dangerfield who basically invented acidic bite, sarcasm & snappy gags.

Instead, in this story--the last one Rodney would write for the big screen--he takes us on a trip back to the smooth, human vibe we used to get from the classic comedies with Jimmy Stewart, Tony Curtis, etc. He doesn't play the part of the wisecracking, quick-witted hero you might expect from "Back to School" but instead he plays sort of a schlep, an emotionally downtrodden loser (despite his material success) who evokes our sympathies like a lost puppy dog.

Having read some of the other reviews, I think this takes people by surprise, particularly his fans, who deem his performance sluggish & lackluster. However, if you drop all preconceived notions of what a Rodney film 'should be' and instead approach this as a human story where the wisecracks are merely incidental, you'll really enjoy it. This is Rodney, the real man, not the performer. And I consider it a real treat to catch a glimpse of his human side.

Some of the gags are predictable or outright silly, but then again, can't we say the same thing about a classic Jimmy Stewart comedy? I can't stress enough how much this film reminds me of those bygone movies, right down to the dreamy cinematography (lots of crane shots) and manufactured studio sets (like in the opening scene of a city block on a rainy night: pure nostalgia). I think a lot of care went into establishing this old-timey vibe. It's quite the opposite of the slick & hip "Back to School" (which I loved, by the way). "The 4th Tenor" is more like an 80s Hugh Grant romantic comedy but instead of the face of prettyboy Hugh & his classic British accent, we get the mug of Rodney Dangerfield & his Brooklyn twang. If that image doesn't scare you off, then I think you'll really enjoy the flick.

Towards the end of his life, Rodney Dangerfield starred in (and sometimes also wrote) several low budget movies that either went straight to video or had a limited release beforehand, this movie being one of them. It was quietly released and hasn't been rediscovered, and I think I know why. While the production values are okay for a made-for-video cheapie (though there are obvious cost-cutting actions like filming on studio backlots and trying to pass the California countryside as Italy), and Dangerfield in his 80s still has energy (though it's obvious when a stunt double is used), there is a problem with the screenplay he co-wrote - it's not very funny. It lacks the zing and outrageousness associated with Dangerfield in the past. In fact, it seems to have been aimed at a family audience. That wouldn't be bad if the movie was funny, but it isn't. It's pretty predictable, both with its story and humor. One surprise about the movie is that it was produced by Joseph Merhi, who earlier had made a name for himself with exciting made-for-video action flicks. Watch one of those instead.

Being a huge Rodney Dangerfield fan, it was more of a sad than funny experience watching this film. It's not for the simple reason that I know that Rodney is no longer with us, but the fact that he looks extremely sick throughout this movie. His face is pale, his eyes are really puffy. There are quite a few scenes in the film where it's evident that Rodney would've rather been lying in bed than performing. So right off the bat, don't expect that same relentless energy you saw in "Back to School" or "Easy Money." There are even scenes where he screws up the timing of his one-liners. It had nothing to do with incompetence (Hell, Rodney's the GREATEST comedian of all time, in my opinion), but because sickness and old age had gotten to him. Now let's go on to what I did like about "The 4th Tenor." It may not work perfectly as a comedy, but it makes a touching and light-hearted romance. I really did feel for Rodney's character, as the woman who captured his heart would continually blow him off. And I also felt his new-found love for the Italian woman, who would treat him with nothing but love and respect, but is forced to marry the man her father wants her to marry. The movie even has a climax, involving Rodney rushing to the wedding. Normally, I hate when I see that cliché in romantic comedies, but since I was taken by the story, I was able to forgive the cliché. This is in no way a memorable film, and the gags come in an intermittent fashion. I don't think director/comedian Harry Basil was talented enough to find the right balance to make this film work as a comedy. The comedy arrives in a too-little-too-late fashion, amidst handfuls of sentimental moments. If you're in the mood to laugh, I'd better suggest any of Rodney's other films. Or you can simply pop in his great "No Respect" CD. But I enjoyed this film for what it was. It went straight-to-video, and has straight-to-video written all over it. The filmmakers didn't even put in a half-assed effort to make the sets appear like Italy. And the New York scenes were obviously filmed on backlots. Harry Basil's a comedian and not a director, and it shows in his amateurish style.

totally predictable and really cheap movie in every way but one and that's opera. lovely opera, lovely arias and everything else becomes lovely that would otherwise stink. some genuinely good jokes, however, which merits another 2 stars.

lovely scenery, lovely italy, lovely....further enforces the extra 2 stars.

And then we have Rodney Dangerfield, who seems to be unable to do anything wrong. That man has funny-bones for sure.

The story here is ridiculous but who cares? For anyone who hates opera this film is a disaster but for us opera-lovers or, should I say "aria-lovers" (because a long opera with no good arias is some serious pain in the ... whatever).

The only bad film I've seen with Rodney Dangerfield so far is "The Godson" and that was with Dom DeLuise as well! Strange movie that one - everybody looked as if they would rather be sleeping.

Here everybody looks as if they would rather be in Italy and I do not blame them.