You Tube Saturday Matinee: Down & Out In Beverly Hills By Touchstone Jan 4, 2025
Synopsis: “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” is a comedy about a rich but troubled family whose life gets turned upside down when they rescue a suicidal homeless man, Jerry (played by Nick Nolte), from drowning in their pool. The film explores the culture clash and comedic chaos that ensues as Jerry, with his free-spirited ways, starts to influence each member of the Whiteman family. Dave Whiteman (Richard Dreyfuss) is a wealthy businessman with an unfulfilled life, his wife Barbara (Bette Midler) is a high-maintenance socialite, and their children have their own unique quirks. Jerry’s presence brings out unexpected changes, from Dave rediscovering his zest for life to Barbara finding new hobbies, all while Jerry himself undergoes a transformation.
Trivia:
The movie is based on the 1919 French play “Boudu Saved from Drowning,” which was also adapted into a film by Jean Renoir in 1932.
It was the first film released by Disney’s Touchstone Pictures to receive an R rating.
Little Richard appears in a cameo and performs “Great Gosh A’Mighty” during a party scene.
Paul Mazursky, the director, also plays the role of Sidney Waxman, an accountant in the film.
This film marked Richard Dreyfuss’ first significant success post his drug-related issues, helping to rejuvenate his career.
Awards and Nominations:
While “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” didn’t win any major awards, it was well-received by critics for its humor and performances.
Roger Ebert gave it a glowing review, awarding it four out of four stars for its intelligent comedy and mentioning that it made him “laugh longer and louder than any film I’ve seen in a long time.”
Overall, this film is a classic ’80s comedy that cleverly satirizes the lifestyle of the affluent while celebrating the unexpected benefits of human connection across class divides.
