This film is better than I remembered it to be, a variation of "The Prisoner of Zenda" where the ruler dies rather than being kidnapped. Richard Dreyfuss briefly play the dictator of Parador, a puppet ruler controlled by the hysterical Raul Julia. When he dies (allegedly of consumption), an American actor (also Dreyfuss) what is kidnapped and trained to take over his role, manipulated initially by Julia and later by the dead dictator's "mistress" (Sonia Braga, obviously having a blast in this very flamboyant part), who describes her late not quite lover as dumb but sweet. Julia too is deliciously over the top, and it's a nice contrast to Julia and Braga's previous film together, "Kiss of the Spider Woman".
In a sense, Dreyfuss seems to be playing A variation of the same character he played in "The Goodbye Girl", and there are even references to "Richard III". Julia's power hungry character is dealt with references to various stage performances he saw, and that adds a very funny aspect to his character. Jonathan Winters, cast as Dreyfeuss's pal, is humorously not a very funny character, something quite ironic. Sammy Davis jr. Is very funny in his cameo playing himself, and Charro, of all people, as a maid, gets laughs simply with her first close-up. This is very similar to a very good American variation of the "Prisoner of Zenda" theme, "Dave", but both are different enough to be able to be enjoyed as double bills.
There are some very serious elements to this film that takes away the comedy here and there, but for the most part, the film is very light-hearted and fun. I remember as a video store clerk desperately trying to convince customers that this film was better than the box cover looked, have they returned it, completely in agreement. Dreyfeuss shows again why he was one of the great comic and dramatic lead actors of the 70's and 80's (without a leading man face), and Braga has the tough look of Judy Davis with the raw sexuality of Kathleen Turner and the glamour of Joan Collins, and is an absolute hoot. Between this and "The Milargo Beanfield War", 1988 was a very good year for her. It's easy to see why while Julia ended up being cast as Gomez Addams after this film. The moon in New York City may be the one to be caught between, but the one in Parador is equally as breathtaking.
In a sense, Dreyfuss seems to be playing A variation of the same character he played in "The Goodbye Girl", and there are even references to "Richard III". Julia's power hungry character is dealt with references to various stage performances he saw, and that adds a very funny aspect to his character. Jonathan Winters, cast as Dreyfeuss's pal, is humorously not a very funny character, something quite ironic. Sammy Davis jr. Is very funny in his cameo playing himself, and Charro, of all people, as a maid, gets laughs simply with her first close-up. This is very similar to a very good American variation of the "Prisoner of Zenda" theme, "Dave", but both are different enough to be able to be enjoyed as double bills.
There are some very serious elements to this film that takes away the comedy here and there, but for the most part, the film is very light-hearted and fun. I remember as a video store clerk desperately trying to convince customers that this film was better than the box cover looked, have they returned it, completely in agreement. Dreyfeuss shows again why he was one of the great comic and dramatic lead actors of the 70's and 80's (without a leading man face), and Braga has the tough look of Judy Davis with the raw sexuality of Kathleen Turner and the glamour of Joan Collins, and is an absolute hoot. Between this and "The Milargo Beanfield War", 1988 was a very good year for her. It's easy to see why while Julia ended up being cast as Gomez Addams after this film. The moon in New York City may be the one to be caught between, but the one in Parador is equally as breathtaking.