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Real Men (film)

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For the album by John S. Hall and Kramer, see Real Men (album).
Real Men
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDennis Feldman
Written byDennis Feldman
Produced byMartin Bregman
Starring
CinematographyJohn A. Alonzo
Edited byMalcolm Campbell
Glenn Farr
Music byMiles Goodman
Production
company
Martin Bregman Productions
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • September 25, 1987 (1987-09-25)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$873,903[1]

Real Men is a 1987 American comedy film by Dennis Feldman, starring James Belushi and John Ritter as the heroes: suave, womanizing CIA agent Nick Pirandello (Belushi) and weak and ineffectual insurance agent Bob Wilson (Ritter).[2]

Plot

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After scientists accidentally spill a deadly chemical into the ocean that will eventually kill all life on earth, a group of aliens offer to help humanity. They offer a choice: the 'Good Package' to clean up the mess, or the 'Big Gun', a weapon capable of destroying the planet. The aliens only ask for a glass of water in return, which must be delivered by CIA agent Pillbox, the only human they entirely trust.

While on a run-thru of the alien meetup, agent Pillbox is shot and killed in a forest by an unseen assassin in an inside-job. FBI computers find Bob Wilson, an insurance agent who looks just like Pillbox, and suggest sending Wilson in Pillbox's place. However, Wilson is a meek office worker who we initially see being easily pushed around by a group of local bullies and by a milkman who is trying to seduce his wife.

Tough guy government agent Nick Pirandello is sent to recruit Wilson and escort him to the meeting; he is also to build-up Wilson's confidence and decrease his insecurities. He meets Wilson at Wilson's home, with Russian agents close on his tail, who want a unique map to the meeting place. Wilson thinks Pirandello is an intruder and tries ineffectively to attack him, culminating in a shoot-out with the Russians that devastates Wilson's house.

Pirandello explains the mission as the pair head to meet the aliens near Washington, D.C. Wilson doesn't believe the story, and instead believes that Pirandello is insane. He repeatedly tries to escape, forcing Pirandello to stop and try to convince him they're real. After a series of rather unconvincing demonstrations, one finally convinces Wilson of their authenticity.

Wilson is then willing to do the job, but lacks skills and confidence. The pair meet corrupt CIA agents dressed as clowns, part of a splinter group that would rather receive the Big Gun. Pirandello tells Wilson that he is in fact a Russian sleeper "Super Agent", at which point Wilson charges into battle and is knocked out with one punch. Pirandello defeats the clowns, but leads the waking/groggy Wilson to believe he did it. Wilson gains a new macho attitude.

Pirandello, weakened by love for a dominatrix he meets in a bar in Pittsburgh, abandons the mission, leaving Wilson on his own. During a final shootout between the rogue CIA element and Wilson, Pirandello comes to his senses and rejoins the mission; together they defeat the others, including Pirandello's boss. Wilson meets with the aliens and receives the Good Package to save humanity.

Wilson returns to his home, which has been repaired. With his new-found machismo, he deals with the bullies and the amorous milkman, bringing the film to an end.[3]

Cast

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Production

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According to DVD Verdict, Real Men was barely released theatrically. The distributor, United Artists, was still suffering the aftereffects of the Heaven's Gate (1980) fiasco and financial troubles were still in full force.[4][5]

Reception

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Upon release, the film received mediocre to poor reviews.[6] In particular, the plot was panned as not credible.[7]

Years later, The A.V. Club retrospectively described the film as one of the most underrated comedies of the 1980s.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Real Men". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  2. ^ Denby, David (21 September 1987). "Funny Business". New York. p. 56.
  3. ^ Hartman, Matthew (August 7, 2015). "Real Men Blu-ray Review". High Def Digest.
  4. ^ Spears, Steve (14 July 2011). "Retro-review: Punching clowns, watering up aliens in 'Real Men'". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  5. ^ Farber, Stephen (July 19, 1987). "Martin Bregman Juggles Projects to Make a Movie". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b O'Neal, Sean (April 9, 2018). "Real Men is one of the most underrated comedies of the '80s (But don't make a big thing out of it)". The A.V. Club.
  7. ^ Weinberg, Marc (June 1987). "Real Men". Orange Coast. Emmis Communications. p. 159.
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