| PRODUCT DETAILS | | Pennies From Heaven |  | |
Pennies From Heaven
During the Great Depression, a married sheet-music salesman falls in love with another woman and uses cheery songs from that era to imagine a better life for himself.
Manufacturer: Warner Brothers
Price Range: $11.48 - $19.98
 Pennies From Heaven
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| User Reviews |  | They can't be serious- can they?
rating: 2
Everyone in this misguided extravaganza tries hard -- maybe too hard -- to make something meaningful and entertaining of what amounts to expensive bloat. But for many viewers, it just doesn't work. For those who've seen the 1936 Depression-era original of the same title, the oldie has less but offers more, even if what it offers is sentimental Hollywood mush. Ah, but listen, isn't that what the lyrics of the title song are all about, how to make more from less? The original likely isn't the greatest film classic of all time, but it's a hopeful little bit of fluff with excellent performances and some of Crosby's nicest tunes. I was given the Steve Martin DVD of this title by a close relative (gift wrapped by Amazon, of course), so I suppose I'm obliged to keep it. But watching Martin's work simply made me more desirous of sitting back with a copy of the 1936 original, which I finally bought from Amazon and which I and everyone who watched it enjoyed much more.
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Excellent Dark Musical; Not What You'd Expect
rating: 5
Had it not been for a film class I took in college, I probably never would have seen this movie. The study of what might appear a semi-typical musical was fascinating. The story is of Arthur (Steve Martin), a sheet music salesman during the Depression. He loves the happy tunes of the songs that he sells, but in real life, all he seems to get is unhappiness. Happy dream sequence musical interludes with period songs contrast with the way things really are in Arthur's life. He has a frigid and shrewish wife, Joan (Jessica Harper), and his sales are dropping. When he meets school teacher Eileen (Bernadette Peters), he sees his first chance at turning his life around. However, trouble still follows him until the ending...which, like the rest of the film, is sad and extremely happy all at the same time. Christopher Walken has a standout dancing cameo role as Eileen's pimp...yes, she slides from school teacher to prostitute in this film.
The film tanked at the Box Office when it released, losing about $13 million. The public expected Wild and Crazy Guy Steve Martin, and instead, they got a serious acting song-and-dance man whose character truly is a heel; although he wants to be a good guy, he often makes poor choices that are caused by his libido, not his brain. A better marketing campaign most likely would have helped, but either way, this film still holds up as a successfully daring look back at the Depression and the Musicals of the time that were meant to lift people from these troubled and turbulent times. The film goes back and forth from gritty to frothy; Bob Mackie did a fantastic job with costuming, and the Cinematrography & Set Design are also incredible; actual paintings of the era were recreated in scenes, giving the film both a period and artistic feel that works well in so many ways.
Steve Martin is a standout; his dancing would lead you to believe that he had always been a star of musicals; Peters' musical gifts are already known, and she is perfectly cast as the hum-drum teacher who has much more going on inside of her. Her sexual awakening by Martin's character is totally believeable. All of the musical numbers are lip-synched to vintage recordings, with the exception of Martin singing the title song near the end of the film. Martin's lip-synching is somewhat off; whether or not this was intentional is not known, but it does detract somewhat from the film. The standout number for me is Bernadette Peter's musical number, "Love Is Good For Anything That Ails You," sung in her classroom. In this dream sequence, her drab attire is transformed into a tight-fitting silver lamé gown. This sequence is riveting, funny, and well choreographed.
This DVD also includes an interesting panel discussion lead by film critic Peter Rainer. Rainer is a poor moderator, but the anecdotes by Martin, Harper, Bob Mackie, and the rest is very informative. A scene-specific audio commentary by Rainer is also included; although Rainer comes off as a dope, his appreciation of the film and the fact that he "gets it" is admirable. Theatrical Trailer also included.
Looking for a silly and mindless comedy? Check elsewhere. Want a serious movie with many messages that is artistic and provokes much thought? Put it in your shopping cart.
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Kennedy Center Honors 2007.
rating: 5
The 2007 institution called 'Steve Martin' is a multi-millionaire of prolific success as a writer, actor, musician and comic. The 1981 Steve Martin gave us the darkest most disturbing flick... ever. The REAL 1930's were a bit more complicated than what our grandparents and great-grandparents may have let on. Unfortunately, the urge to be sentimental about events of 70 or 80 years ago comes VERY naturally to lazy american movie watchers. Don't be lazy, just realize that the Arthur character is the villain, and is completely self-unaware, and that makes him more horrifying. 5 BIG stars.
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Worth more than the cost
rating: 5
Pennies From Heaven Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters are terrific in this innovative, stylish, quirky musical. Christopher Walken is in it, too. What more can you ask?
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Pure delight
rating: 5
This movie was a flop when released.
I just loved it and think it's a masterpiece. Steve Martin and Bernardette Peters are just amazing, Christopher Walken is wonderful and the musical numbers are awesome.
The director, the late Herbert Ross, did a great job.
I just wish they'd release this movie in HD DVD. Gordon Willis' photography deserves that.
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Pennies From Heaven
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