Released in cinemas in 1994, Greedy originally bombed, and slipped away unnoticed by most film fans. But that fact says nothing of the film’s merits. Greedy is a unique and very enjoyable picture.
Kirk Douglas plays filthy-rich uncle Joe to a family of money-hungry, manipulative relatives. They will stop at nothing to get a piece Joe’s fortune. ‘We want our share,’ is the reasoned logic of these wacky characters. After trying every trick they can think of, they call in their cousin Daniel (Michael J. Fox), a pro-bowler who suffers from a hand injury, and as a result, has self-doubt and confidence issues.
Daniel appears to be an ‘angel among demons’, as he, unlike his vicious cousins, has no interest in his uncle Joe’s vast riches, and agrees to visit Joe with a sincere and caring approach. With the addition of a sexy young nurse as Joe's 'companion', things get heated, and ugly, but very funny.
Soon the film becomes a delightfully satisfying mess; one that has the stamp and recipe of classic comedies by Jack Lemmon and Frank Capra. The characters are colourful and comically well-toned. The plot developments, and the ridiculous behaviour the characters resort to, have you laughing out loud and wondering why on earth you were never told about this gem of a film.
Jimmy Durante
Greedy most certainly holds one of the greatest opening scenes in cinema (a list that nerdy film fans everywhere are welcome to contribute to). Uncle Joe is mad on comic legend Jimmy Durante. The film opens with a performance from the great man himself, performing one of his uplifting song and dances. The scene is side-splitting hilarious, and seemingly random, which adds to its high quality humour.
Joe’s recurring request throughout Greedy is for Daniel (Fox) to ‘do Durante’, as Daniel exceeded at nailing Durante’s performance as a child. This simple and absurd side-joke leads to one of the funniest scenes in Greedy, and in any film. It’s an act of desperate measures for Daniel, and probably the silliest and funniest thing you’ll see Michael J. Fox do.
Hilarious Film
Greedy is an all-out ride into comical chaos. The film is involving. The jokes are timed perfectly and delivered with punch by the ensemble. Albeit through cult underground status, Greedy is a comedy favourite, and an effective injection of humour from the lighter side of life in a time when such things are crucial. All in all, Greedy is a very enjoyable comedy.
Funny Film Quote
'I didn't like The Beatles, and I don't like you.'
Ferdi Mehmet - I work in journalism, performing writer/research roles for newspapers in the London area. My real passion is for writing fiction - novels, ...
