Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 19, 1990 TAG: 9005190356
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Perhaps writer Ken Friedman, director Roger Donaldson and star Robin Williams were not always on the same frequency. Their movie combines the comic view of salesmanship that Barry Levinson presented in "Tin Men" with the offbeat screwiness of "I Love You to Death" and overtones of "Dog Day Afternoon."
Joey O'Brien (Williams) is a car salesman. That's his life. Everything he does is a sale of some kind. He is constantly persuading other people to do things his way, and that complicates his life. He's trying to keep up with two girlfriends, Joy (Fran Drescher) and Lila (Lori Petty), and his ex-wife Tina (Pamela Reed). He owes gangster Tony Dipino (Paul Herman) $20,000 and his boss at Turgeon Auto has demanded that he sell 12 cars in one day or it's good-bye, Joey.
And just when all of those problems are coming to a head, Larry (Tim Robbins) crashes into the dealership, waving around an AK-47 and demanding to know which of the salesmen is having an affair with his wife. Oddly, it's at that point in the story - about half way through - that "Cadillac Man" starts to get funny. Until then, the action has been slowly paced and somehow unfocused.
Joey delivers lengthy asides directly to the camera that are basically unnecessary. Robin Williams' delivery is restrained. His low-keyed approach, combined with his curious suits, shaggy haircut and brushy mustache makes Joey a dead ringer for Polish leader Lech Walesa.
In the second half of the movie, Friedman's script settles down, Williams turns up the intensity and the story of a confused hostage-taker becomes more involving.
With such films as "The Bounty," "No Way Out" and "Cocktail" to his credit, Australian director Donaldson has a mixed record of critical and commercial success. This is certainly not his best work and it will probably not be a big hit. There are a few flashes of Robin Williams at his best, but nothing close to the sustained brilliance of "Good Morning, Vietnam" or the sheer likability he brought to "Dead Poets Society."
In the end, "Cadillac Man" is a thoughtful, well-intentioned production that will probably disappoint more audiences than it delights. `Cadillac Man' An Orion Pictures release playing at the Salem Valley 8 (389-0444) and the Valley View Mall 6 (362-8219). Rated R for strong language, sexual situations and mild violence. An hour and 35 minutes long.
by CNB