Chevy's Masterpiece

Before eliciting lots of negative responses let me say that this is just my opinion but I think Chevy Chase has been one of the biggest wastes of talent ever produced. Capable of so much more then he has provided I feel that he has only made 5 truly entertaining movies his whole career. "Foul Play," "Vacation," "Fletch," "Christmas Vacation" and this which is by far his best work. Yes I realize that I omitted "Caddyshack" but I go back and forth on that film and still don't think it is that great though it does have some laughs. I do have sort of a soft spot for "Memoirs of an Invisible Man" but that's more being a fan of John Carpenter.

"Funny Farm" has a terrific screenplay in which each scene provides the set up and pay off for some great laughs. It helps that Chase worked with the best director he ever worked with in George Roy Hill. It's the little moments in the film I love the most like the dog with the bandage on his head, the first dog simply running off never to be seen (except for one small glimpse later) again, and his wife's reaction to his first novel called "The Big Heist" a terribly original (in his mind) story of four poker buddies planning the perfect heist.

There's also the little pieces of dialogue that are so funny. My favorite is when the movers are trying to find the town of Redbud and happen upon an old man sitting on his porch"

Movers - Hey, Mac, do you know where Redbud is?
Man - How'd you know my name is Mac?
Movers - Lucky guess.
Man - Then why don't you guess where Redbud is?

This film never fails to make me laugh hard and it was a nice change of pace for Chase not just clowning around but playing a full three dimensional character. This is an sadly overlooked comedy classic.