Peter Tolan Movies
Studio mogul Joe Roth returns to his roots as a director with this romantic comedy co-written by Billy Crystal and starring Roth's longtime friend Julia Roberts. Crystal stars as Lee, a studio publicist desperately trying to keep several facts secret from reporters during a high-profile motion picture's press junket. Among the developments that Lee is trying to obscure from view: the film's eccentric director (Christopher Walken) has essentially hijacked the $87 million movie and isn't allowing anyone to view it. Also, the film's high-profile, real-life married co-stars Gwen Harrison (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Eddie Thomas (John Cusack) have acrimoniously split since filming (over Gwen's adulterous affair with Latin lover Hector (Hank Azaria). Lee has led the press to believe that reconciliation is imminent, when in fact Gwen hates Eddie more than ever. Lee's secret weapon in his campaign of misinformation is Gwen's long-abused sister Kiki (Julia Roberts), who works as the pampered star's personal assistant while secretly pining for Eddie, who might just notice Kiki now that she's lost 60 pounds. America's Sweethearts co-stars Alan Arkin, Seth Green, and Stanley Tucci. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, (more)
Everyone's favorite neurotic mafia boss (with the possible exception of Tony Soprano) is out of prison and back on the couch in this sequel to the hit comedy Analyze This. Ever since he ended up behind bars, mob leader Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro) has been in sad shape, alternately weeping like a child and singing favorite tunes from West Side Story. Fearful of his emotional stability, prison officials release Vitti into the custody of his psychiatrist, Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal), but this is far more responsibility than Sobel wants -- he's having troubles with his family after the recent death of his father, also an analyst, and has been overworked since taking over his late father's practice. Sobel becomes even more exasperated when he learns Vitti will be moving into his home, which is especially upsetting for Sobel's wife, Laura (Lisa Kudrow). As Sobel tries to get to the root of Vitti's problems -- which are very much real, even if he was faking his symptoms behind bars -- he tries to help Vitti find a straight job, which is hardly easy for a man of his temperament. And adding to all this confusion, several members of Vitti's old crew are after him, determined to insure that he doesn't pass along any incriminating information. Analyze That also features Cathy Moriarty-Gentile, Joseph Viterelli, and baseball legend Yogi Berra. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal, (more)
In the same year that a hit cable television series, The Sopranos, successfully mined the same premise, this comedy about a mobster seeking advice from a psychiatrist was a box office winner for director Harold Ramis. Billy Crystal stars as Dr. Ben Sobel, a New York shrink who's becoming a little bored with his upscale but neurotic clientele. Into Sobel's practice comes a guy with legitimate problems, Mafia kingpin Paul Viti (Robert DeNiro), a godfather who is being reduced to tears and panic attacks by stress and his guilt over his beloved father's assassination. Intimidated but also fascinated by Viti, Dr. Sobel becomes frustrated when his mob boss patient becomes a full-time occupation, as Viti summons the psychiatrist for his professional help at all hours and in all places, even including the doctor's Florida wedding to TV reporter Laura MacNamara (Lisa Kudrow). In the meantime, a power struggle is brewing with Viti's long-time rival Primo Sidone (Chazz Palminteri), but Viti begins employing the feel-good self-help jargon and techniques he's learned from Dr. Sobel to keep his enemy off balance. Just as the therapist and his powerful patient are making breakthroughs, the FBI attempts to persuade Sobel that Viti is going to have him murdered, leading to a nearly lethal misunderstanding. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal, (more)
How far will a man go to win the woman he loves? That's the devilish question behind this satirical romantic comedy. Elliot Richards (Brendan Fraser), a low-level white-collar worker, has fallen in love with his co-worker Allison (Frances O'Connor), who barely knows he exists. Desperate to win her love, sad sack Elliot is approached by the Devil (Elizabeth Hurley), who offers him seven wishes in exchange for his soul. Elliot accepts, but none of his wishes works out quite the way that he had hoped; after transforming himself into a South American tycoon, a champion NBA basketball player, a famous author, the most sensitive man in the world, and even the president of the United States, Elliot discovers that the Devil has added a crucial loophole each time, and for all his troubles, Allison still isn't interested in him. Directed by Harold Ramis, Bedazzled was adapted from the 1968 cult movie of the same name written by and starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brendan Fraser, Elizabeth Hurley, (more)
Rescue Me co-creator Peter Tolan makes his feature directorial debut with this comedy starring Matthew Broderick as a moderately successful television writer whose addiction to alcohol, gambling, and drugs make dealing with the latest family crisis especially difficult. Taylor Peters (Broderick) is the writer and producer of a low-rated television sitcom that gets repeatedly bashed by critics and fares only slightly better with the viewing public. His career thrown off the tracks years ago due to his penchant for compulsive gambling, heavy drinking, and frequent recreational drug use, Taylor struggles to keep his additions under control. Sure, he still plays the horses every now and then, but the less that his wife Lorraine (Maura Tierney) knows about that, the better. When Lorraine's sister discovers that her 20-year old daughter Amanda (Brittany Snow) has been working as a Las Vegas prostitute, she calls the family together for an emergency meeting. Later, during the ride home, Lorraine discovers Taylor's racing stubs stashed in the glove compartment and announces that she is filing for divorce. Desperate not to lose his wife, Taylor hatches an ingenious plan to win back her affections and prove he's a changed man: he'll travel to Las Vegas, locate Amanda, and take her to rehab in Malibu. It's a noble plan indeed, but can a man given to such vices truly exercise the Herculean restrain needed to avoid the blackjack tables and accomplish his noble mission while traveling through the sordid streets of a city built on the very foundation of temptation? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow, (more)
A man gets a very big surprise when he meets his prospective son-in-law in this comedy. Percy Jones (Bernie Mac) is the understandably proud father of Theresa (Zoe Saldana), a beautiful and intelligent young woman living in New York City. When Percy learns that his daughter is dating someone and things are getting serious, he decides to do some research, and learns that her beau is a solid businessman. Percy arranges to meet the young man, but is a bit taken aback when he comes face to face with Simon Green (Ashton Kutcher) -- Percy and his wife are African-American, and Simon is very, but very Caucasian. When it becomes clear that Simon and Theresa's relationship is likely altar-bound, Percy finds himself suddenly full of misgivings about the young man, especially since Simon tends to get rather clumsy when he's nervous. Guess Who was loosely adapted from the 1967 hit Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, though the race of the prospective father and son have been swapped, and the original film's comic undercurrent has been pushed to the forefront. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bernie Mac, Ashton Kutcher, (more)
- 1991
The Taylor boys' table manners -- or stunning lack of same -- get them banned for life from Wacky Jack's Pizza Pagoda. Taking charge of the situation, Tim (Tim Allen) insists that he can teach his sons proper dinnertime deportment -- but wife Jill (Patricia Richardson) doubts this and even places a bet against Tim's chances with a night at the opera as the stake. With the assistance of Wilson (Earl Hindman), Tim finally determines that the boys have no respect for food -- which of course requires an improvised backyard "hunting expedition." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
During his weekly "Tool Time" appearance, Tim (Tim Allen) informs the studio audience that "his friend's wife" was caught driving her car with the oil light on. This prompts the sympathetic audience members to share their own stories of female incompetence, whereupon an emboldened Tim confesses that "his friend's wife" was actually his own spouse, Jill (Patricia Richardson). Had he left it at that, Tim might have emerged from the evening unscathed...but alas, our clueless hero reveals to his vast TV viewership that Jill also drools in her sleep. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A couple who live on different sides of the divide of life and death discover just how many boundaries love can cross in this romantic comic fantasy. Elizabeth (Reese Witherspoon) is a hardworking and dedicated medical resident who, after 20 hours on duty, is heading home when she falls asleep at the wheel of her car and is involved in a fatal auto accident. Several weeks later, a man named David (Mark Ruffalo) takes over the lease on Elizabeth's apartment, but he discovers that she hasn't quite vacated the building. Elizabeth's body may be dead, but her spirit is still quite lively, and her ghost is insisting that the apartment is still hers...and that she wants him to move out. David brings in Darryl (Jon Heder), an eccentric man who claims to have psychic powers, to help sweep Elizabeth's spirit out of the apartment, but she refuses to budge, certain that she can't be completely dead, despite all evidence to the contrary. As Elizabeth and David try to share the flat, they discover that their differences aren't as great as they once imagined, and they become attracted to one another. But will Elizabeth's spirit stay in the land of the living long enough for their romance to go somewhere? Just Like Heaven marked Jon Heder's first feature film role after his breakthrough appearance in the independent hit Napoleon Dynamite. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, (more)
- 1991
After ten years as "FYI"'s perennial runner-up, Frank (Joe Regalbuto) finally wins the coveted Humboldt Award. The honor causes his chest to swell with pride--right along with his ego, which expands to impossible proportions. Before long, Frank is summarily rejecting news assignments that are "not Humboldt material", and is shamelessly hawking his own franchised action figure! Meanwhile, Murphy becomes touchier than usual over comments about her pregnancy weight gain. CBS newsman Harry Smith appears as himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Murphy (Candice Bergen) can't hide her jealousy when Frank (Joe Regalbuto) is invited to appear on David Letterman's late-night TV show. To mollify his colleague, Frank invites her along to the studio--where in typical Murphy Brown fashion she manages to spread dissension and ill will amongst the other guests even before the show gets started! In addition to David Lettermanplaying himself, frequent Letterman guest Terri Garr makes a cameo appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Eldin (Robert Pastorelli), the house painter who seems to have made Murphy's apartment his permanent port of call, is "discovered" by the elite of the Washington art world. Before long, he is being wined-and-cheesed by the upper circles of the cognoscenti, and has been granted his first showing at a prestigious art gallery. And is Murphy (Candice Bergen) thrilled and delighted by all this? Of course...not. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Now that the dust has settled and she has brought her baby home, Murphy (Candice Bergen) returns to work at the "FYI" studio. Unfortunately, her job performance suffers for a number of reasons, not least Murphy's obsessive guilt over leaving her newborn with newly-hired "Nanny Number Four" (played by British actress Millicent Martin, best known for her work as Daphne's mother on Frasier). Clearly, a showdown is in the offing--but will Murphy have to choose between her journalistic duties and her parental obligations? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
The "FYI" anchor team agrees to compete against a group of brilliant Yale students on a popular "intellectual" TV quiz show. During a dress rehearsal, the Yalies reveal the length and breadth of their intelligence--and also reveal the mental shortcomings of Murphy (Candice Bergen) and her coworkers, who apparently have forgotten a great deal since their school days. Rather than settle for the "lovely parting gifts", the FYIers decide to put their heads together and cram for the Big Show--which is only a few hours away. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Ever the rebel, Murphy (Candice Bergen) is outraged by the "appearance clause" in her contract, allowing the network to dictate exactly how she should look on the air. In protest, Murphy makes her next "FYI" appearance with a new, hacked-to-the-bone hairstyle in place of her familiar flowing tresses. The result: Not only is Murphy angry, but so is the network--not to mention virtually every "FYI" fan in America. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In this broad but hilarious spoof of the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, Murphy is dragged before a Senate Committee after she files a story on the personal spending habits of government officials. Mercilessly grilled by a panel of fatuous politicians, Murphy does her best to defend her First Amendment rights, even in the face of a "Contempt of Congress" charge (with possible jail time!) It will not require the services of a political historian to figure out who such characters as "Senator Dennehy" and "Senator Hyden" are really supposed to be! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Though they're not quite ready for matrimony, Miles (Grant Shaud) and Audrey (Jane Leeves) agree to test the waters, so to speak, by moving in together. Audrey likes the set-up, but Miles is less enthusiastic. But the "fun" doesn't really get under way under Audrey's ex-boyfriend Colin (Trevor Goddard) also moves in with the couple, determined to pick up where he left off. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
By conservative estimate, at least 45 secretaries have passed into--and out of--the office of Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) in the past four years. Now it appears that the big parade has ended: "FYI" producer Miles (Grant Shaud) has hired his own girlfriend Audrey (Jane Leeves) to take the far-from-coveted job as Murphy's secretary. Audrey proves to be excellent in her new job, but her constant presence in the newsroom causes Miles to feel "suffocated", leading to a likely breakup--with clueless Frank (Joe Regalbuto) as the proverbial Man in the Middle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
No sooner has he finished the screenplay for his own spy novel The Little Dutch Boy than Will Forrest (Scott Bryce) is sued for plagiarism. In order to clear her husband's name, Corky (Faith Ford) must read portions of her own diary in court. Unfortunately, what Corky has written in private bids fair to publicly expose the innumerable flaws in the "perfect" Sherwood-Forrest marriage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In his ongoing crusade to make sweeping changes at "FYI", hotshot network executive Mitchell Baldwin (Julius Carry) decides to subject the show's set to an extreme makeover--much to the dismay of Murphy (Candice Bergen). This incident leads to a full-scale war of nerves between Mitchell and Murphy, culminating in a momentous road trip to a charity event--and a mechanical malfunction in a particularly tough-looking DC neighborhood. This episode was directed by series regular Joe Regalbuto (Frank Fontana). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this comedy, Russell P. Kramer (Jack Lemmon) and Matt Douglas (James Garner) are two former U.S. Presidents who sit on opposite sides of the political fence. Kramer is a stuffy Republican reluctant to part with a dollar, while Douglas is a left-leaning Democrat with an eye for the ladies. Douglas succeeded Kramer in office after a single term, while Douglas, after four years as chief executive, lost to his former running mate William Haney (Dan Aykroyd). When the facts about a bribery scheme in Haney's administration threaten to surface and destroy his reputation, the ruthless president tries to pin the responsibility on Kramer and Douglas -- and when the ex-presidents learn the truth about Haney's dealings, Haney tries to have them killed before they can talk. Kramer and Douglas soon find themselves on the run, disguising themselves as celebrity impersonators, hiding out in the woods with a homeless family, and marching in a Gay Pride parade in an effort to stay clear of Haney's goons while they bring the truth to the people. My Fellow Americans also features Lauren Bacall as Kramer's long-suffering wife and John Heard as Haney's intellectually-challenged vice president. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, James Garner, (more)
- 2004
Another contemporary "dramedy" series from the star/creator of The Job, Rescue Me revolved around the activities of a group of professional firefighters operating Engine 62 in a post-9/11 New York City. Denis Leary headed the cast as senior firefighter Tommy Gavin, who had allowed the pressures of his job to botch up his home life, separating him from his wife, Janet (Andrea Roth), and their three children. Even more disturbing was the fact that Tommy was constantly haunted by the ghosts of his dead comrades, and regularly carried on conversations with his deceased cousin, firefighter Jimmy Keefe (James McCaffrey). Nor was Tommy the only member of the Engine 62 team battling personal demons. Chief Jerry Reilly (Jack McGee) was a compulsive gambler; handsome Sean Garrity (Steven Pasquale) was incapable of carrying on an intelligent conversation; and daredevil Franco Rivera (Daniel Sunjata) insisted upon living on the edge, both on and off the job, frequently with disastrous consequences. Meanwhile, Lt. Kenny "Lou" Shea (John Scurti) endeavored to channel his emotions and phobias into writing poems, and rookie Mike Silletti (Mike Lombardi) was kept busy trying to figure out what sort of practical joke would next be pulled on him by his sadistically prankish co-workers. The first season of Rescue Me was launched by the FX cable network on July 21, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Two buddies find themselves doing some very wrong things for perfectly right reasons in this broad comedy. John (Jason Lee) is a nice guy who is responsible and hardworking; his best friend Duff (Tom Green), however, is his polar opposite, a layabout who is constantly getting in some sort of trouble. John is very much in love with his longtime girlfriend Elaine (Leslie Mann), and wants to marry her, but true to form, he has pledged not to make the walk down the aisle until he has saved up to 30,000 dollars so they'll be able to afford a down payment on the house they've always wanted. After years of saving, John has finally put 30 grand in the bank, and has set the date with Elaine. However, as John's big day approaches, he gets word from his sister Patty (Megan Mullally) that her daughter Noreen (Tammy Blanchard) has been accepted into Harvard University -- and years ago, John promised her if she got into the prestigious college, he'd pay the tuition. Making good on John's pledge to his niece would leave him with a mere 121 dollars in the bank, but he doesn't have the heart to say no to Noreen, or tell Elaine of his dilemma. John does tell Duff about his problem, who comes up with a typically hare-brained solution -- turning to a life of crime for the next two weeks in order to steal another 30,000 dollars. Stealing Harvard costars Dennis Farina and Chris Penn; Bruce McCulloch, a member of the comedy series The Kids in the Hall, served as director. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
