The critics call it a blockbuster that cleaned up at the box office, and that it is a winning comedy, I can agree with this opinion, and I personally like it as a comedy boys-own adventure. Basically Mitch Robbins (Golden Globe nominated Billy Crystal) is the middle-aged radio adverts salesman, and with his best friends Phil Berquist (Home Alone's Daniel Stern) and Ed Furillo (When Harry Met Sally's Bruno Kirby) are all having a mid-life crisis. At Mitch's birthday party, they tell him about a two week trip they have arranged where they can become cowboys in the wild west herding cattle from New Mexico to Colorado, and his wife Barbara (Patricia Wettig) is actually letting him go, she doesn't want him coming with her to Florida to see her parents. There they meet other keen riders including Bonnie Rayburn (Helen Slater), and brothers Barry (Josh Mostel) and Ira (Mighty Joe Young's David Paymer) Shalowitz. There they are greeted by the one's who have experienced herding, Clay Stone (Good Morning, Vitenam's Noble Willingham) and Dr. Ben Jessup (Bill Henderson) with his son Steven (Phill Lewis). Then when opportunity kicks in, they meet the man who really knows what he's doing, Curly Washburn (Oscar and Golden Globe winning Jack Palance). As they travel the route with the herd in front of them, they are finding it hard work herding, but Mitch gets to Curly really well and he seems a nice guy under his ruff attitude. Soon enough though, Curly dies suddenly (kind of like Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine, short Oscar winning role) and the gang have to take the cattle alone. Towards the end, it is only Mitch, Phil and Ed left from the whole gang, and they go through tough terrain, but they and the cattle do make it. It appears that the cattle are going to become meat, but there is a happy ending with all characters going back to their lives with some new found hope in the future, and Mitch brings home the calf he helped deliver, Norman. Also starring Tracey Walter as Cookie, Jeffrey Tambor as Lou, The Simpsons' Yeardley Smith as Nancy, Total Recall's Robert Costanzo as Sal and young Jake Gyllenhaal as Danny Robbins. There are some good giggly moments, and although the sentimentality (characters bonding and sharing their feelings) can slow the story, I kind of like it, and this is a very entertaining comedy adventure. It was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical. It was number 86 on 100 Years, 100 Laughs. Very good!
Review of City Slickers
