My Favorite Year

I remember going to see this when it first came out and and loving it. It still stands up today and that is rare for a movie. Peter O'Toole is incredible and this movie is one of my all time favorites. Definitely in my top 5 comedies of all time.

The first part of what - for me - is one of the funniest lines in the movie. I agree with Roger Ebert (God rest his soul), this would be one of my 10 'desert island' movies.

Some years ago, Roger Ebert selected this as one of his ten "desert island" movies, and it's easy to see why. This is a love letter to a particular place and time - New York during the 1950's heyday of the Sid Caesar Show - and the clash of cultures between Hollywood (on the downswing) and television (on the upswing). The entire cast, which includes Joe Bologna, Lainie Kazan, Bill Macy, Lou Jacobi, Selma Diamond, and Jessica Harper, is wonderful. But the film revolves around the relationship between young comedy writer Benjy Stone - played by Mark Linn-Baker - and the swashbuckling, extravagantly alcoholic Alan Swann, played by Peter O'Toole, during the week of Swann's guest appearance on the "King Kaiser" television show. Their chemistry is extraordinary, and O'Toole shows himself to be one of the great comic actors of any era. It's interesting that while the (uncredited) executive producer was Mel Brooks, he went out of his way to bring in Richard Benjamin in his debut as a film director (Brooks' rationale to Benjamin: "We think you're sane.") The wonderful script, and Benjamin's very secure hand at the rudder, create the perfect setting for some absolutely brilliant comedy. But aside from the humor - and this is, above all, a very, very funny movie - there is a wonderful poignancy underlying all of the proceedings. If you're watching it for the 10th time (as I am, this weekend), you'll know what I mean. And if you've never seen it before, I envy you your first encounter. Enjoy!

Peter O'Toole was nominated for best actor Oscar for his role as Alan Swann and deservedly so. It truly is one of the greatest comic performances ever.

Fairly predictable and not particularly funny. O'Tooles acting is superb no doubt there, however the language and some innuendo's could have been left out of the script or on the cutting room floor. PG-13 would have been a better rating. The actors just didn't seem to mesh in this production like they do in others; they were acting, but not flowing. Not worth the ten bucks IMHO.

This is one of the rare jewels that offers a great human story that will leave you laughing our loud! Mark Linn-Baker and Peter O'Toole are great together and Richard Benjamin made this movie to a point where you can feel the joys and frustrations that are felt throughout the movie. This is one movie that I can watch over and over again and truly enjoy.

this as well steven spielbergs "1941" have to be the two funniest movies no one has heard of. its the story of a has been actor becoming a man with some great lines strewn throughout the whole movie. my personal favorite is from peter o'toole talking about himself, "the greatest erection in all of Europe." if you enjoy funny movies then u will most definately enjoy this one. so give it a try.

This film is a hilarious. The cast and script are amazing. First Review. CHECK OUT THE MUSICAL.