Under the Influence

[whooa]

Where's Goober?
Where's Goober?

"No Rob Morrow" ("huh?") was "able to get into this one" which might "detract in a bad way" if he were playing "my mom" married to "Andy Griffith" and his "Hungry Heart", but it would be better than "bad standup comics" "and" ("predictably") "bad stand-up comedy" which is what this movies features (also "'heavy'", "real issues").

You'll love it -- it's pink.
Everybody's got a hungry heart.

[whoa] Two words: Andy Griffith. The movie splices in bad stand-up comedy into the real story; the comedy scenes detract from the actual story in a bad way. Not sure what the director/writer was thinking when he/she came up with that one. I never really was able to get into this one. Maybe if Keanu had a better role in it, then I could have appreciated it more, but really, I don't need to watch a movie about alcoholics.

[whoooa] The kind of movie my mom would probably deem "heavy." This means real issues (alcoholism, drug abuse, bad stand-up comics) are dealt with, and specifically in this case, that Keanu gets to work these issues out with Andy Griffith, his father! How cool is that? Keanu doesn't get a lot of screen time but he gets some really explosive scenes with Andy. Best Keanu moment: Keanu. A dive bar. "Hungry Heart." Need we say more?

[whooa] Andy Griffith & Keanu Reeves. Huh? Another TV movie tackling a tough issue (alcoholism) and how it affects a family. Of the 4 children we have Paul Provenza (who does stand-up, which is intercut with the movie; but is no Rob Morrow), a female Chalmers, Keanu & an embarrassed (of Andy) high school daughter. Keanu plays the youngest son, with the "strongest" (messiest) relationship with the Dad (Griffith) - Andy handles his role well (definitely in "A Face in the Crowd" mode), as does Keanu (who lacks screen time and lines). Not exactly a topic which can be handled completely in 90 minutes, but still a nice movie, bit of a downer (understandably), but ultimately uplifting (predictably, but well executed). Features one of the greatest scenes ever (Keanu singing "Hungry Heart") - which elevates this from a "whoa" to "whooa."

Cast

Eddie Talbot
Keanu Reeves
Andy Griffith
Noah Talbot
Paul Provenza
Stephen Talbot
Season Hubley
Ann Talbot Simpson
Dana Andersen
Terri Talbot
Joyce Van Patten
Helen Talbot
Danae Torn
Floozie Girl
array of movies