Director
Dan Aykroyd
Cast
Chevy Chase - Chris Thorne
Dan Aykroyd - Judge Alvin Valkenheiser/ Bobo
John Candy - Dennis/ Eldona
Demi Moore - Diane Lightson
Nothing But Trouble, released in 1991 and directed by Dan Aykroyd, is one of the most enigmatic comedies I've ever seen. In fact, it was Aykroyd's directorial debut.
After watching this, I felt the need to do some research into this movie's production.
First off, this was a bad movie. But, it's not completely terrible. I even had fun watching it. Like I said-enigmatic. It's bad, but I feel drawn to it.
My first impression after seeing Nothing But Trouble was that it's incredibly imaginative and visually interesting. And, believe it or not, it's hip hop artist TuPac's initial movie appearance.
All in all, I want to watch it again. I might even purchase a copy. I'm sure I can find a copy in the $5 DVD bin at Walmart.
I wish someone would write a book about its production from beginning to end. The movie feels like a big, giant mix of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Marx Brothers, Tim Burton, and Looney Tunes being the proverbial cherry on top. Just...plain...wow!
The history of Nothing But Trouble begins with the 1987 horror classic Hellraiser.
In that year movie producer Robert Weiss went to see Hellraiser with Dan and his brother, Peter Aykroyd.
Weiss, who was suffering from a broken rib, picked that movie thinking if they had gone to see a comedy, he would have been in pain from laughing. Still, they all found Hellraiser to be funnier than what I'm sure director Clive Barker had wanted it to be. This scene planted the idea in Dan's head to come up with a comedic horror movie.
An actual storyline came about years earlier when Dan was pulled over for speeding somewhere in upstate New York while driving back from Canada.
He was forced to appear before a Justice of the Peace, who not only fined him $50, but invited Dan to stick around for some tea. So, he did.
After Aykroyd came up with a script, he took it upon himself to direct, and was given absolute control over the picture from Warner Brothers as they threw $40 million at him to get it going. I mean, that makes sense given his list of successful writing history with titles such as The Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters, and Spies Like Us.
Well, when it comes to Aykroyd, his script writing history normally involves directors needing to weed through his elaborate and wild imagination, and come up with something doable. Just listen to John Landis discuss Aykroyd's original script for The Blues Brothers. But with Nothing But Trouble, audiences are given pretty much unhindered, carte blanche Dan. I also hear that Aykroyd allowed the cast to direct themselves. Perhaps that might have hurt the movie a bit?
In this movie, financial publisher (not banker) Chris Thorne (Chevy Chase) hosts a party in his New York penthouse apartment. During his shindig, Thorne meets successful attorney Diane Lightson (Demi Moore). She tells him through small talk about her failed romance (Why? I don't know!) and then says she needs to meet with a client in Atlantic City.
She then asks to borrow his car. Bold move, seeing as how she just met him. And it's weird this successful attorney doesn't have a car of her own.
Nevertheless, it's worth mentioning that the entire plot of the movie all starts with Demi Moore's character asking to borrow Thorne's car - again whom she doesn't really know. He refuses and states "I'll drive." That's it, and that's all!
Meanwhile, two of Thorne's clients, Fausto (Taylor Negron) and Renalda Squiriniszu (Bertila Damas), wealthy Brazilian brother and sister, include themselves along for the ride. They don't add much to the story other than making the initial encounter that much more odd.
On their way, Thorne detours through the obscure, nearly dead town of Valkenvania. He rolls through a stop sign, and is then followed by a cop.
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| Dan Aykroyd as Judge Valkenheiser |
The pursuing officer has some gadgets and switches to finally force Thorne to stop. And when he does, it turns out the cop, Dennis (John Candy), is the nicest cop in history. He doesn't so much as raise his voice or point an accusatory finger at this motorist who just put both of their lives, and the lives of others, in danger. In fact, he tells Thorne that if he follows him to the Justice of the Peace, he'll ignore the attempt to elude. Wow!
So, Thorne agrees, and they all head to a dilapidated mansion that is the Valkenvania Court House. It's surrounded by mounds of abandoned cars, toasters, refrigerators, strange metal sculptures, and other scraps.
It's the seat of Dennis's 106-year old grandpa, Judge Alvin JP Valkenheiser (Dan Aykroyd). They try to simply pay their ticket and leave. But they learn
it's not going to be that quick and easy.
The cast is impressive - Dan Aykroyd. Chevy Chase, the late great John Candy, and Demi Moore who's last movie before Nothing But Trouble was Ghost.
But from what I gathered, Chevy Chase was a huge pain to work with. Evidently during production, Chase would yell at other cast members, including Aykroyd. There are stories that Chase even criticized Demi Moore for wearing an outfit that was "too revealing."
It's not hard to believe as Chase has been called out on other productions for acting abrasive and mean to co-workers.
Despite all these stories, his performance seems nothing but motion. He says his one-liners, gives his comedic Chevy Chase looks, goes through all the other motions, loves his time being on screen, and that's about it. He got through the movie, and that seems to be all that matters.
Aykroyd is the most enjoyable. Since it's his movie, he seems to be having fun in his role as a 106-year old judge. His mannerisms and quips are hilarious. His makeup is memorable. And his role as the overweight man-baby, Bobo, is just deadly to anyone's appetite.
John Candy plays two roles well enough. But having his female character to be a mute seems all too obvious. It takes me back to watching him on SCTV which used to air on Comedy Central back in the 90s. Occasionally, Candy dressed in drag for various sketch comedy routines. Since the movie was $5 million over budget, I guess hiring a female voice actor to speak lines for him, or have Candy try to speak like a woman himself wasn't going to work? So, the next best option was keeping Candy silent. Maybe that was the cheapest option as well? I'm speculating, of course.
This role seems to be more of a straight man. Candy is a comedian, not a straight man. This definitely isn't a Candy role that stands among his more notable movie roles in Spaceballs, Uncle Buck or Plains, Trains, and Automobiles). Regardless, and maybe I'm just prejudice, but I still love watching Candy perform here as I'm a Candy fan! I believe if he were still with us, he'd have the same kind of prestigiousness and legendary status that some other long standing comedians such as Bill Murray and Steve Martin possess today. Where he still alive, Candy could easily walk out onto a stage and receive a standing ovation before saying a word.
The sets in this movie are just fantastic and imaginative. The mansion itself reminds me of the set from Rocky Horror Picture Show. There's even a roller coaster on the property that takes guilty defendants to the "bone stripper" - a carnival-like torture device that strips the flesh of people's bones. Though we don't see that actually happening, rather we see the bones spit out at the other end into a large bone pile. And this is followed by the supper scene were Alvin treats his guests to hot dogs that look less than savory and appetizing. Subtle horror?
As Judge Alvin Valkenheiser comes from a family of mechanics, the set is detailed with a number of abandoned cars, scrap metals, refrigerators, and toasters is awesome and well done.
The interior visuals are where the imagination really sets in, especially the mansion's attic which is covered in the driver's licenses of "culprits" long gone, including Jimmy Hoffa. There's also secret passages and hidden rooms.
The town of Valkenvania, which has had coal fires burning underneath since the 1920s, is based on Centralia, Pennsylvania.
it's not going to be that quick and easy.
Alvin not only impounds Thorne's car, and orders them to stay the evening in order to appear for a further hearing the next day, he also invites them to supper.
As things are completely awkward, unsettling, and weird for them, their stay in the cluttered mansion/court house becomes an attempt to escape. And what's worse, Thorne ends up being engaged to Dennis's mute sister, Eldona (also John Candy) who was struck dumb at birth by a thunder clap.The cast is impressive - Dan Aykroyd. Chevy Chase, the late great John Candy, and Demi Moore who's last movie before Nothing But Trouble was Ghost.
But from what I gathered, Chevy Chase was a huge pain to work with. Evidently during production, Chase would yell at other cast members, including Aykroyd. There are stories that Chase even criticized Demi Moore for wearing an outfit that was "too revealing."
It's not hard to believe as Chase has been called out on other productions for acting abrasive and mean to co-workers.
Despite all these stories, his performance seems nothing but motion. He says his one-liners, gives his comedic Chevy Chase looks, goes through all the other motions, loves his time being on screen, and that's about it. He got through the movie, and that seems to be all that matters.
Aykroyd is the most enjoyable. Since it's his movie, he seems to be having fun in his role as a 106-year old judge. His mannerisms and quips are hilarious. His makeup is memorable. And his role as the overweight man-baby, Bobo, is just deadly to anyone's appetite.
John Candy plays two roles well enough. But having his female character to be a mute seems all too obvious. It takes me back to watching him on SCTV which used to air on Comedy Central back in the 90s. Occasionally, Candy dressed in drag for various sketch comedy routines. Since the movie was $5 million over budget, I guess hiring a female voice actor to speak lines for him, or have Candy try to speak like a woman himself wasn't going to work? So, the next best option was keeping Candy silent. Maybe that was the cheapest option as well? I'm speculating, of course.
This role seems to be more of a straight man. Candy is a comedian, not a straight man. This definitely isn't a Candy role that stands among his more notable movie roles in Spaceballs, Uncle Buck or Plains, Trains, and Automobiles). Regardless, and maybe I'm just prejudice, but I still love watching Candy perform here as I'm a Candy fan! I believe if he were still with us, he'd have the same kind of prestigiousness and legendary status that some other long standing comedians such as Bill Murray and Steve Martin possess today. Where he still alive, Candy could easily walk out onto a stage and receive a standing ovation before saying a word.
The sets in this movie are just fantastic and imaginative. The mansion itself reminds me of the set from Rocky Horror Picture Show. There's even a roller coaster on the property that takes guilty defendants to the "bone stripper" - a carnival-like torture device that strips the flesh of people's bones. Though we don't see that actually happening, rather we see the bones spit out at the other end into a large bone pile. And this is followed by the supper scene were Alvin treats his guests to hot dogs that look less than savory and appetizing. Subtle horror?
As Judge Alvin Valkenheiser comes from a family of mechanics, the set is detailed with a number of abandoned cars, scrap metals, refrigerators, and toasters is awesome and well done.
The interior visuals are where the imagination really sets in, especially the mansion's attic which is covered in the driver's licenses of "culprits" long gone, including Jimmy Hoffa. There's also secret passages and hidden rooms.
The town of Valkenvania, which has had coal fires burning underneath since the 1920s, is based on Centralia, Pennsylvania.
The town and the courthouse are unsettling but not necessarily terrifying.
Remember when I talked about "Unhindered Dan?" This is very apparent when characters Bobo (Dan Aykroyd) and Little Debbull (John Daveikis) are introduced. They're both Cewpie doll-looking adult babies in diapers. They both have the mentality of a two-year old, are not allowed inside the house, and yet are both mechanics or blacksmiths working on the scrap metal around the mansion. They're appearance is sure to make audiences lose their appetite. From what I've heard about the movie, Aykroyd couldn't find anyone to play Bobo, so he performed the character himself. The suit and makeup and incredible. To think of Aykroyd having to were this body suit and heavy makeup, and then were makeup for his Alvin character, and direct the movie on top of all this. Brilliant work!
Remember when I talked about "Unhindered Dan?" This is very apparent when characters Bobo (Dan Aykroyd) and Little Debbull (John Daveikis) are introduced. They're both Cewpie doll-looking adult babies in diapers. They both have the mentality of a two-year old, are not allowed inside the house, and yet are both mechanics or blacksmiths working on the scrap metal around the mansion. They're appearance is sure to make audiences lose their appetite. From what I've heard about the movie, Aykroyd couldn't find anyone to play Bobo, so he performed the character himself. The suit and makeup and incredible. To think of Aykroyd having to were this body suit and heavy makeup, and then were makeup for his Alvin character, and direct the movie on top of all this. Brilliant work!
John Daveikis worked with Aykroyd on Ghostbusters as a hardware consultant (according to IMDB). Aside from his role as Little Debbull, his only other acting credit is "Russian Border Guard" in Spies Like Us which also starred Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd.
And I can't ignore the sudden appearance of hiphop group Digital Underground.
In the movie, the entire group of rappers is taken to the judge on speeding charges, and it's hilarious.
But when they break out into the movie's theme song "Same Song," at the judge's request, it's just out of place and distracting. It's the only musical performance in the movie, and why it's there, other than to sell the group, is beyond me. Nevertheless, the song is catchy and entertaining!
The story structure as a whole is off. Things happen in this movie because...well...just because. For instance, the whole borrowing the car in the beginning is one example. It makes very little sense.
During the dinner scene at the court/mansion, the Brazilian siblings just decide to up and leave claiming they've had enough. And they escape by jumping out of a window, even though we later learn nobody ever escapes. They seemed to get away somehow.
Nevertheless, there's just something about this movie that's intriguing. It pulled me in, and I couldn't look away. When I wanted to look away, it was because of something that made me queasy like the dinner scene with the hot dogs. The whole scene is just gag inducing.
In fact, the horror element of the movie is on par with something like Beetlejuice.
And Valkenheiser's nose becomes a penis in one scene. There's no other way to state that. This can't be ignored no matter how much I try. I'm sorry if that's crass to mention it. What does one say to that?
If Aykroyd ever comes out with a special edition to this movie, which I hope he does, I'm buying it.
And I can't ignore the sudden appearance of hiphop group Digital Underground.
In the movie, the entire group of rappers is taken to the judge on speeding charges, and it's hilarious.
But when they break out into the movie's theme song "Same Song," at the judge's request, it's just out of place and distracting. It's the only musical performance in the movie, and why it's there, other than to sell the group, is beyond me. Nevertheless, the song is catchy and entertaining!
The story structure as a whole is off. Things happen in this movie because...well...just because. For instance, the whole borrowing the car in the beginning is one example. It makes very little sense.
During the dinner scene at the court/mansion, the Brazilian siblings just decide to up and leave claiming they've had enough. And they escape by jumping out of a window, even though we later learn nobody ever escapes. They seemed to get away somehow.
Nevertheless, there's just something about this movie that's intriguing. It pulled me in, and I couldn't look away. When I wanted to look away, it was because of something that made me queasy like the dinner scene with the hot dogs. The whole scene is just gag inducing.
In fact, the horror element of the movie is on par with something like Beetlejuice.
And Valkenheiser's nose becomes a penis in one scene. There's no other way to state that. This can't be ignored no matter how much I try. I'm sorry if that's crass to mention it. What does one say to that?
If Aykroyd ever comes out with a special edition to this movie, which I hope he does, I'm buying it.
Note: Rather than include a link to the trailer above where I quote directly from the film, I've linked the quote to the movie's dinner scene. This just needs to be watched. If you haven't seen this movie before, that scene will give you the best taste (no pun intended) of this movie.
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