HAPPY NEW YEAR
US, 1987, 85 minutes, Colour.
Peter Falk, Wendy Hughes, Charles Durning, Tom Courtney.
Directed by John G. Avildsen.
Happy New Year is a light, slight romantic caper. It is based on the French film by writer-director Claude Lelouch (who appears in the opening sequences of this film as the Frenchman in the train). The film is a tour de force for Peter Falk - appearing not only in his usual style but in two disguises as an elderly brother and as an elderly sister. He carries them both off entertainingly. His partner in crime is Charles Durning, always reliable. The heroine is Wendy Hughes. Tom Courtney offers good support as the manager of the Florida jewellery store.
The film was directed by John G. Avildsen, best known as the director of Rocky and the Karate Kid films. It is certainly a light piece - but quietly entertaining.
1.Enjoyable comedy? Caper? Romance?
2.The French origins of the film? Adaptation? Florida and New York settings? The world of the affluent? Editing and pace? Musical score?
3.The title and its ultimate ironies?
4.Charlie and his voice-over commentary? Telling the tale, admiration for Nick, warning him? His own character? In the prison, out, on the train, meeting with Nick, the plans and the rehearsal? As the chauffeur? His participation in the plot? His not being arrested? Putting in a good word for Carolyn? The meeting at the New Year? The final getaway?
5.Nick as the hero, his background, master criminal? The genial Peter Falk style? Going to Florida? The plan, the use of psychology? His going to the jewellery shop, getting in good with the manager, the various disguises, the plan with the brother and sister and the gift for the wife? Photographing the jewellery? His interest in Carolyn, hearing her discuss the table? His bid? Trying to resell it? His plans and plots? Romance? Carolyn and being faithful? The importance of the robbery, timing? The getaway with the jewels? His being arrested? Sentenced, jail? His being released to lead the police to Charlie? His disappointment with Carolyn? Going to the airport, the disguise? Going to see her, believing in her, at the final dance? His future in South America?
6.Carolyn, her antiques, wheeler-dealing? Charm? Boyfriends? Involved with Nick's plans? Helping him with the lawyer? The visit to prison? Her boyfriend, her making up with Nick? Dancing with him disguised as the sister? To South America?
7.The manager of the jewellery store, his style, making sales, being very accommodating? The photographs, the safe? The door being locked?
8.The presentation of life in Florida, the wealthy? Jewellery and gifts? The plan for the robbery? It going wrong? The police and their search?
9.Entertaining comedy caper - and their getting away with it?
