Off Beat (1986)

Pretty Good

One of my all time favorites.

Good idea lost in the noise

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

I've just seen this movie, and no offence, but it was a major letdown. I remember this drive in movie playing at the time when Judge Reinhold was well makin' a name for himself in the mid 80/late 80 phase. Why the reason, for seeing it now? A relation of mine, gave me a few bags of VHS'S and this time, like last, I picked out more a minority. I only got a few laughs, mainly in the early part, the cop chase, quite funny, a highpoint, but annoying too. Meg Tilly does look hot here, in dance wear, and her punching out fellow cop, (Top Gun's shouting captain, James Tolkan) was a grand moment. As a favor, for stuffing up an undercover operation, involving his best friend, a cop, run down, unfulfilled librarian, Joey Gower (Reinhold) charades as his buddy, playing the role, where he attends these full cop rehearsals for a stage show, but inadvertently falls in love with Tilly, where complications and that, arise as you can probably guess. The film has a lot of stale scenes, one lengthy scene, I thought was gonna gonna go for the rest of the movie, where Reinhold gets caught in a bank robbery, where actors, Harvey Keitel ans Victor Argo (the robbers) are the comic relief. So many good actors are wasted in this forgettable film, it kind of pi..ed me off, to be honest. This is just one of those eighties, pretty week comedies, where a few actors should of been locked up for their time in this, ninety plus minutes, I could of been doing many other productive things.

Librarian assistant Joe Gower takes up the offer to help out his friend Abe by posing as a cop to take his place in a police dance performance, but he finds himself falling for female officer Rachel. Therefore he digs himself deeper when he starts acting like his a cop outside of the dance training to impress this lady. "Off Beat" is a pleasurably breezy, light-hearted 80s romantic comedy with plenty of familiar faces on show. The cast are indeed great, with Judge Reinhold and Meg Tilly in the leads. For me, the adorable Tilly is always a delight to watch, but she still can pack a punch. James Tolken sure finds out. A tolerable Reinhold is gawky, but likable as Gower. Loved the scenes he shares with the wise-cracking Cleavant Derricks, who plays his friend Abe. The sequence with them arguing in a change room and Derricks' final word to the shop assistant is priceless. Most of the lively support roles with character actors are spot-on and do over-shadow the leads. Harvey Keitel and Victor Argo might only have small roles towards the end, but their chemistry together was hilarious with Argo truly stealing the show. Austin Pendleton as a gun shop salesman is quite humorous too. Rocket launcher for home protection?! Joe Mantegna is a true live-wire as fellow-cop / ex-boyfriend of Tilly's character. Also dependably showing up is Mike Starr, Amy Wright, John Turturro, Penn Jillette, John Kapelos, Anthony Zerbe and Fred Gwynne. But the list still goes on. Quite a macho lot, where the script seems to sarcastically tear apart at this bravado and the dialogues are fun in nailing it. Even questioning one's own comfort, by taking a chance outside that familiar zone. Its bubblegum soundtrack gives it much added bounce. Commonplace, but endearing comedy. "I won't hurt them. I'll kill them. "

Meek librarian (Judge Reinhold) assumes the identity of his pal (Clevant Derricks) who happens to be a police officer. The charade leads to some very mild comedy. With such a fine cast, this should have been a far better film. Unfortunately the talent of Joe Mantegna, John Turturro, Meg Tilly, Harvey Keitel, Mike Starr, Fred Gwynne, and Anthony Zerbe is badly wasted. Reinhold sandwiched between Mantegna and Tilly in the front seat of a speeding police car, while they calmly discuss their failed relationship, is the best scene. Fred Gwynne in a small part as the mayor is great, but that's about it. How could such an interesting cast wind up in such a dull comedy? - MERK

I just wonder what movie David Dein was watching. David have you ever heard of the suspension of disbelief? It was not a true story. Meg Tilly who (not whom)is usually wonderful was just as wonderful here, as was Judge Reinhold, John Turturro, Harvey Keitel (and his partner) and Penn Gillette. Cleavant Derricks was outstanding and worth the price of admission all by himself. the only criticism i can muster is for the usually reliable Joe Mantegna. It seems that comedy is not his forte. He seemed to be overacting in the extreme. All in all this is a very amusing movie, with some clever plot twists and some interesting characters. It is not "The Godfather" but it is very pleasant, clever and amusing and well worth your time.