BACHELOR PARTY (1984) by jeff

Directed By: Neal Israel
Story By: Bob Israel
Written By: Neal Israel & Pat Proft
Cinematography By: Hal Trussell
Editor: Tom Walls

Cast: Tom Hanks, Tawny Kitaen, Adrien Zmed, Michael Dudikoff, Wendie Jo Sperber, Deborah Harmon, Barry Diamond, Gary Grossman


This film is the ultimate Skeleton in the Closet for Tom Hanks, But surprisingly he has nothing to be ashamed of this is a solid dirty little comedy.

The film is a exploitive sex comedy that involves Sex, Drugs and plenty of nudity. The type that got teens at the tie through many a lonely night of puberty. Waiting up late for it on cable.

The plot is rather simple a soon to be groom is thrown a dream bachelor party by his brother and friends. His soon to be wife finds out how raunchy it is and decides to spy on him and crash the party. While his Future in-laws and her Ex Try to destroy him and the party. When not trying to tempt him into cheating and getting evidence that will cause the wedding to not happen. It leads to al wild crazy night.

The Casting of this film was kismet for Tom Hanks, As after this film he seemed to start getting starring roles in more highly regarded films. Though he almost wasn’t cast Originally the film was set to star Paul Reiser and Kelly McGillis but they has no chemistry. So they moved on from Paul Reiser to considering Howie Mandel, Tim Robbins and a young Jim Carrey before settling for Tom Hanks. Then once filming began they decided to fire Kelly McGillis citing she wasn’t pretty or sexy enough for the role (she got the last laugh years later starring in box office Champ TOP GUN as Tom Cruise’s Romantic interest) Julia Louise Dreyfuss was considered before deciding on Tawny Kitaen.

This Seems like a film all the raunchy comedies of today strive to be but somehow fall short of in quality. Maybe it’s because this film sweetness feels real while the more modern films sweetness feels manufactured and like a afterthought. This film is dirty and debaucherous with the right amount of filth and actual comedy, Yet nothing feels forced.

Tom Hanks stars but keeps his career and standing intact. This is more of a preview of what was to come from him in future starring roles. For most of the action in the film he is more of a bystander almost like a host. Yet never is really involved in any of the more raunchy action. He manages to show off his goofy charm and likeability despite it all. Most people can look back on this film and see it as a youthful indiscretion for him. He manages to get off scot free. Which doesn’t matter as the film is not bad. In fact it’s a pretty god 80’s artifact.

There are many memorable scenes in the film. Plenty to keep you laughing and entertained the whole way through. I guess I hae a soft spot for the film because of the nostalgic feeling watching it as I watched it continuously through my youth. Which might explain why I am a fan of tom Hanks as a actor

A definite Addition to the film library.

GRADE: B