SHAMPOO (1975)

Los Angeles, 1968. Beverly Hills hairdresser George Roundy (Warren Beatty) has dreams of opening his own salon, but doesn't have the money. So, in order to raise the funds, he seduces a client (Lee Grant) and together, they try to convince her wealthy husband (Jack Warden) to finance George's salon. That's unethical as fuck (especially since George has a girlfriend of his own, Goldie Hawn, plus an ex that he’s still sleeping with, Julie Christie), but it has a good chance of working...if George can keep his dong in his britches. Unfortunately, George's sex drive is so out of control that he cannot help but to get in his own way.

As far as pre-RACQUET clones go, SHAMPOO is a good film. Strong acting by an impressive cast, quick pace, awesome fashions, interesting characters, a few funny moments, beautiful Los Angeles locations and some really great music during the party scene that fit absolutely perfect (especially the Buffalo Springfield song).

One thing that did go over my simple (yet still incredibly handsome) brain was all of the political themes and stuff going on in the background. Multiple times throughout the film there's a television featuring coverage of Richard Nixon's election. I don't know what the point of that was or why the film was set in 1968 instead of 1975, but even without understanding that extra layer of the story, I still enjoyed it. Maybe it has something to do with sexual revolution? And speaking of sex…I was surprised by the lack of sex in the film. Yeah, there’s sex talk and implied sex scenes, but SHAMPOO is much tamer than I expected it to be. I’m curious if SHAMPOO was considered risque or controversial when it came out?

Anyway, SHAMPOO is a fun film and worth checking out.  I am a little confused with Lee Grant winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in this film.  I mean, she's definitely good, but it didn't stand out to me as award worthy.

OVERBOARD (1987)

Dirt poor carpenter Kurt Russell is hired by wealthy Goldie Hawn to do some work on a closet on her yacht.  The job doesn't go very well and in the end she stiffs him his $600 fee and throws him and his tools overboard.  Russell is really pissed off, so later on when Goldie falls off the boat and loses her memory he rushes in and claims to be her husband.  For whatever reason the hospital freely turns her over to him and he then takes her home with the intention of using her as a slave for one month to earn back his $600.  Oh yeah, he also rapes her.

Now that might sound like the plot to a dozen different horror movies, but since this was the 80's it's actually a comedy!  Turns out Goldie's real husband is overjoyed when she turns up missing, so he doesn't claim her at the hospital.  That leaves the door open for Kurt to take her home and tell her that his four uneducated cavemen children are hers.  He then tortures her by tricking her into working nonstop around his dump of a house.  As expected, a spark appears and they fall in love and fuck, but since Kurt knows the truth and her previous self would have never given him the time of day I would consider that a case of rape through deception.  Add onto that kidnapping, fraud and a host of other charges and Kurt would probably be spending a long time in jail.

To say enjoying OVERBOARD requires a suspension of disbelief is an understatement, but even so it was just too much for me.  The comedy isn't funny enough, the direction is bleh, the story completely unbelievable and those kids are going to be emotionally fucked up for years.  Hardcore fans of 80's comedies might find the story endearing and funny, but I just found it more depressing than anything.  If you need me, I'll be in my room watching GROUNDHOG DAY.

Remake - Overboard (2018)