Forgotten Gems

[Mojochi]

I'll get the ball rolling with an all but forgotten 1989 reimagining of a 1955 Humphrey Bogart movie of the same name, with a screenplay by David Mamet, that's also loosely based on a play, We're No Angels

It's an unassuming little picture, with a supporting ensemble cast, who are a thrill to see, from Bruno Kirby, to John C. Reilly, to Wallace Shawn, & so many more, but ultimately it's held up well, & just has a lot of heart, as something of a depression era period piece, fish out of water, fugitive theme. It would be easy to consider it a run-of-the-mill, formulaic buddy comedy, but it surprises & engages beyond that imho. The best part is that it's so overlooked, that it's viewable in the depths of Amazon Prime's catalog.

If you like Robert De Niro's lighter fare from that era, like Midnight Run, then this one will give you a good evening of entertainment

 

[Owain Taggart]

Wasn't there also a similar movie featuring Gene Wilder and Richard Prior? Or am I thinking of something else? It just sounds so familiar, yet I don't think I've seen the version with the duo in your post.

 

[Mojochi]

Wasn't there also a similar movie featuring Gene Wilder and Richard Prior? Or am I thinking of something else? It just sounds so familiar, yet I don't think I've seen the version with the duo in your post.

Pryor & Wilder did a prison escape movie called Stir Crazy, but I don't recollect anything where they impersonate clergy. They sign up for a prison rodeo. That's a classic lol

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Stir Crazy is a classic for me.

"Gem" depends on the viewer. I like a lot of forgotten (probably also forgettable) movies.

These had popular actors from their times, but either flopped, or just didn't live up to their potential,
so tend to get overlooked.

 

[Owain Taggart]

Yeah, it was great! I've watched it fairly recently, and I think I remember a scene where they're hiding out in a church and dress up as nuns.

 

[UssGlenn]

1941s great contribution to society was going so far over time and budget that it caused Speilberg to need to prove he could make a movie on time and on budget, leading directly to Raiders of the Lost Ark. Speilberg also cribbed the torture device/coat hanger gag from a deleted scene in 1941.