[Picture of projector]

Laramie Movie Scope:
Undercover Blues

A lighthearted spy comedy

[Strip of film rule]
by Robert Roten, Film Critic
[Strip of film rule]

May 18, 1994 -- ``Undercover Blues'' is one of the best comedies I have seen in a long time. Now it is out on video so everyone can enjoy it.

Director Herbert Ross (``The Goodbye Girl'' and ``Footloose'') shows a wonderful light touch in this film. Dennis Quaid and Kathleen Turner sparkle as Jeff and Jane Blue, secret agents who battle the bad guys with their young child in tow.

Quaid and Turner remind me of William Powell and Myrna Loy in the ``Thin Man'' movies. The two modern stars show the same wit, intelligence, charm and style as do the aforementioned screen legends. Screenwriter Ian Abrams achieves a very Nick and Nora type of witty banter for the two stars in his first script to be produced for the screen.

Another standout in the film is the comical villain Muerte, played by Stanley Tucci (``The Pelican Brief''). Tucci is great as the hapless foil of the Blues in his ceaseless attempts to do them in. Tucci shows himself to be very adept at physical comedy.

Despite the film's obvious roots in the Thin Man films, the movie avoids the usual cliches and the violence that sometimes mars modern action comedies. Ross keeps the film rolling along at a very hectic pace and the jokes never wear thin. This is a modern classic and I hope there are many more Blue sequels to come. It rates an A.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

[Strip of film rule]  
Back to the Laramie Movie Scope index.
    [Rule made of Seventh Seal sillouettes]

Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)