Man of the House
Read other reviews about this film
Chevy Chase
Farrah Fawcett
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
George Wendt
David Shiner
Art LaFleur
Unfortunately, Thomas (from TV's Home Improvement and also the voice of young Simba in The Lion King) is stuck playing a character so bratty at first that adults may wonder why someone hasn't throttled the kid, his wry one-liners notwithstanding.
Produced through Bette Midler's company and that of James Orr and Jim Cruickshank, with Orr also directing, the simple premise has Jack Sturges (Chase), a district attorney, trying to win over Ben (Thomas), the young son of the woman he plans to marry (Farrah Fawcett). Abandoned by his real dad and therefore wary of potential suitors, Ben schemes to get Jack out of the picture. The subplot, limited at best, involves a mobster (Richard Portnow) plotting a somewhat more dire revenge against Jack.
The gags concocted by Cruickshank and Orr (their previous collaborations include Sister Act 2 and 3 Men and a Baby) at best approach the level of a standard sitcom. Chase is less manic than in some previous incarnations despite a few moments of physical comedy, while Fawcett has little to do but look radiant and occasionally stern.
Tech credits are generally sound, with Vancouver standing in for neighboring Seattle.
(Color) Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1995. Running time: 96 MIN.
Variety is striving to present the most thorough review database. To report inaccuracies in review credits, please click here. We do not currently list below-the-line credits, although we hope to include them in the future. Please note we may not respond to every suggestion. Your assistance is appreciated.
