SECOND TIME LUCKY (1984)

Directed By: Michael Anderson 
Written By: Allan Burns, Ron Challoner, Ross Dimsey, D. Howard Grigsby & David Sigmund Story By: Allan Burns 
Cinematography By: John R. McLean 
Editor: Tony Paterson 


Cast: Diane Franklin, Roger Wilson, Robert Morley, Robert Helpmann, Jon Gadsby 


There's a new wager between Heaven and Hell. Devil bets God that if God were to pick two young people to be the new Adam and Eve, they'd sin again. God accepts and sends a college couple to various eras, starting with the Garden of Eden.

I'm going to admit the main reason to watch this film which has an impressive intital plot that at first seems trivial, then becomes a. It more serious. Though stays silly and unbelievable throughout. A bit more serious though stays doll and unbelievable throughout.

As it is sloppy and resembles 80's type T & A schlock. The only thing that kind Of keeps it somewhat classy is that Diane Franklin stars in it. Which is why I choose to watch it more as a completist. I will admit she was a huge 80's crush. She is topless a lot in this film in the beginning. Which you don't expect. Which while this would have made this films favorite in my youth. It makes the film feel more exploitive and like a sex comedy. That has barely any sex that decides to become a romantic tale.

The film has impressive locations but feels like porno film without the actual sex. It seems to have a more impressive budget and ambitions before it seems to have devolved into more of a sex comedy. 

The leading male of the film is too good looking to be believable as this nerdy character. Especially in the first third of the film, but becomes passable, as in other scenes he becomes just right physically and fills the costumes/wardrobe well.

Strangely as the film goes along. It starts off as a bonehead T & A teen film and as it goes along. I can't say it gets any smarter, but seems to get more serious and dramatic. Though what might have seemed stylish back then seems more ridiculous as none of it. Especially it’s special effects ages well and seems more embarrassingly bad at times that you have no choice but to laugh though not for the right reasons.

Despite the amount of nudity and sexual innuendo in the film, this was surprisingly granted a PG certificate in many countries. This film went straight to video in America.

This film was originally supposed to be a starring vehicle for Bo Derek with her husband John Derek directing.

The older actors playing angels, god, devil and demons seem like British theater actors slimming for a film role that hopefully gets them work. As her are over the top and seem more inclined to be villains in children's theater. That is how much they play the parts with relish. The time period love story lines are well conceived. Just not thoroughly thought out for maximum capacity or dramatic strength.


Grade: C-