My Chauffeur

Last updated
My Chauffeur
My chauffeur film poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by David Beaird
Written byDavid Beaird
Produced by Marilyn Jacobs Tenser
Starring Deborah Foreman
Sam Jones
Sean McClory
Penn & Teller
Howard Hesseman
E. G. Marshall
CinematographyHarry Mathias
Edited byRichard E. Westover
Music by Paul Hertzog
Production
companies
Crown International Pictures
Marimark Productions
Distributed byCrown International Pictures
Release date
  • January 24, 1986 (1986-01-24)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$4.7 million [1]

My Chauffeur is a 1986 American comedy film produced by Crown International Pictures and Marimark Productions starring Deborah Foreman, Sam J. Jones, Howard Hesseman and E.G. Marshall. It was written and directed by David Beaird. The original music score was composed by Paul Hertzog with additional music by The Wigs. [2]

Contents

The film was released on January 24, 1986 and was marketed with the tagline: "Some women will, some won't... some men do, some don't. This driver might go everywhere, do anything...for your sizzling backseat pleasure".

Synopsis

Casey Meadows is a free-spirited young woman working as a dishwasher in an upscale restaurant. One day she receives a hand-delivered job offer as a driver for Brentwood Limousine Service. The company manager, McBride is appalled at Casey's young, brash presence...and the fact that she's a woman in an all-male establishment. McBride soon learns that Mr. Witherspoon, the company owner, personally handpicked her and offered the letter of employment. McBride reluctantly agrees to hire her, but warns her that she will be fired if she steps out of line.

Casey experiences sexism and chauvinism from her fellow (mostly older) limo drivers. While frustrated at the ostracism and intolerance of her new co-workers, she manages to find some kindness and support in Jeremy O'Brien, an older Irish driver. Jeremy convinces her to tough it out and give the hidebound men time to adjust to her presence. She agrees to stay.

Casey is routinely given bad assignments that are engineered to get her fired. Her first job is driving a high, oversexed and hungover British punk rock singer named Cat Fight (Leland Crooke) to his concert. Casey finds Cat Fight in a motel bed with his three women backup dancers in a drug-induced stupor. Realizing she'll be fired if she doesn't deliver him to the concert, she dumps a cooler of ice water on Cat Fight's bed and manages to get him and the three women into the car and to the arena just in time for the concert.

Casey is then assigned to transport Battle Witherspoon (Sam J. Jones), an arrogant, heartless, workaholic executive who is stalking his ex-girlfriend. The angry ex tells him she can no longer stand to be with him and says she is pregnant with another man's child. Casey, sympathetic, offers a visibly devastated Battle some liquor from the onboard bar. After consuming an excessive amount, Battle runs out of the car and strips his clothes off, running through a park and making a huge nuisance of himself. He finally returns to the limo and passes out. Not knowing where Battle's residence is, Casey takes him to her home so he can recover from the day's events. The following morning, he awakens and is back to his old hateful self, hurtfully insulting Casey before leaving.

Unknown to Casey, Battle Witherspoon is the son of Mr. Witherspoon (E.G. Marshall), the owner of the limo company. Mr. Witherspoon orders Battle to check out another of his companies upstate in Sonoma. Casey is assigned to drive Battle up north, much to their mutual displeasure. Halfway through the trip, the car overheats and breaks down in a remote location on the highway. Battle and Casey walk off in search of a phone. After walking and bickering for several hours, night falls and they get caught in a rainstorm. Casey sprains her ankle and is unable to walk. Battle continues his walk while carrying Casey in his arms. They finally find a rustic cabin occupied by a hillbilly couple, who invite them to spend the night. Both are put in a bedroom with a single bed and after another one of their arguments, Battle kisses her. The following morning, Battle proposes marriage but Casey refuses, fearing he will return to his emotionally distant ways.

Casey is next assigned to transport a Middle Eastern sheik to a meeting. The sheik (Teller) is approached by a con artist (Penn Jillette) out for a wild night on the town. After Casey returns, she is fired by McBride after learning that police and government agents have been searching for the missing sheik.

Realizing that he's fallen for Casey, Battle starts making some positive changes in his life and continues his efforts to court Casey. He slowly wins Casey over and takes her home to meet his father. When she arrives at the estate, she experiences Deja Vu, recalling the times she played in the Witherspoon mansion as a child. It turns out that Casey's mother was formerly employed by Witherspoon. But shockingly, Witherspoon reveals that he is Casey's biological father, making Battle and Casey siblings. Jeremy then comes into the room with Giles, another limo driver, ordering Giles to confess what he knows about Casey's paternity. He reveals Witherspoon is not Casey's biological father, Giles is. Giles was in a relationship with Casey's mother before she and Witherspoon spent their "little weekend together". Giles (who was especially hostile to Casey) reveals that he denied paternity in order that Casey would receive stable financial support as an heiress to the Witherspoon fortune.

The movie ends with Battle and Casey's wedding. As they climb into the back of a Brentwood Limousine, the driver is McBride, who has received his comeuppance for his misogynistic treatment of Casey.

Main cast

ActorRole
Deborah Foreman Casey Meadows
Sam J. Jones Battle Witherspoon
Sean McClory Jeremy O'Brien
Howard Hesseman McBride
E.G. Marshall Mr. Witherspoon
Mark Holton Doughboy
Penn Jillette Bone
Teller Abdul
Julius Harris Johnson
Laurie Main Jenkins
John O'Leary Giles
Stanley Brock Downs
Jack Stryker Moses
Vance Colvig Doolittle (as Vance Colvig Jr.)
Ben Slack Dupont
Elaine Wilkes Colleen
Diana Bellamy Blue Lady
Leland Crooke Catfight
Robin Antin Bimbo
Cindy Beal Beebop
Sue Jackson Boom Boom
Darian Mathias Dolly
Carlton Miller Amy
Stan Foster LaRue

Box office

The film opened on January 24, 1986 on 1,253 screens, Crown International Pictures' widest release at the time. [3] Daily Variety reported, based on data provided by the studio, that it opened at number one in the United States with an opening weekend gross of $4,781,488, making it Crown's first number one weekend film. [4] The following day, it noted that there was industry skepticism about the figure reported and that based on sample data, the film grossed only between $2.2 to $3.6 million [5] which would have ranked it between third and sixth. The following weekend, on the advice of legal counsel, Crown did not release any data but Daily Variety estimated that it grossed $890,000 with a 10-day total of $3,750,000. [6] No more data was reported by Crown but Daily Variety reported it grossed $270,000 in its third weekend for a total of $4,075,000. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Pretty Woman</i> 1990 film by Garry Marshall

Pretty Woman is a 1990 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall, from a screenplay by J. F. Lawton. The film stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, and features Héctor Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy, Laura San Giacomo, and Jason Alexander in supporting roles. The film's story centers on Hollywood escort Vivian Ward and wealthy businessman Edward Lewis. Vivian is hired to be Edward's escort for several business and social functions, and their relationship develops during her week-long stay with him. The film's title Pretty Woman is based on the 1964 song "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison. The original screenplay was titled “3,000,” and was written by then-struggling screenwriter J. F. Lawton.

<i>Sweet Home Alabama</i> (film) 2002 American romantic comedy-drama film

Sweet Home Alabama is a 2002 American romantic film directed by Andy Tennant. Written by C. Jay Cox, it stars Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey. The supporting cast includes Fred Ward, Mary Kay Place, Jean Smart, Candice Bergen, Ethan Embry, and Melanie Lynskey. It was released in the United States on September 27, 2002, by Buena Vista Pictures. The film takes its title from the 1974 Lynyrd Skynyrd song of the same name. It received mixed critical reception, but was a success at the box office.

<i>Kill Bill: Volume 1</i> 2003 American film by Quentin Tarantino

Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a 2003 American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Uma Thurman as the Bride, who swears revenge on a group of assassins and their leader, Bill, after they try to kill her and her unborn child. Her journey takes her to Tokyo, where she battles the yakuza.

<i>Legally Blonde</i> 2001 film by Robert Luketic

Legally Blonde is a 2001 American romantic comedy film directed by Robert Luketic and written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, based on Amanda Brown's 2001 novel of the same name. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, and Jennifer Coolidge. The story follows Elle Woods (Witherspoon), a sorority girl who attempts to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Davis) by getting a Juris Doctor degree at Harvard Law School, and in the process, overcomes stereotypes against blondes and triumphs as a successful lawyer.

<i>Kill Bill: Volume 2</i> 2004 American film by Quentin Tarantino

Kill Bill: Volume 2 is a 2004 American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Uma Thurman as the Bride, who continues her campaign of revenge against the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad and their leader Bill, who tried to kill her and her unborn child.

<i>The Cannonball Run</i> 1981 film by Hal Needham

The Cannonball Run is a 1981 American action-comedy film directed by Hal Needham, produced by Hong Kong firm Golden Harvest, and distributed by 20th Century-Fox. Filmed in Panavision, it features an all-star ensemble cast, including Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Jackie Chan, and Dean Martin. The film is based on the 1979 running of the Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an actual cross-country outlaw road race beginning in Connecticut and ending in California.

<i>Cannonball Run II</i> 1984 film by Hal Needham

Cannonball Run II is a 1984 American action comedy film starring Burt Reynolds and an all-star cast, released by Warner Bros. and Golden Harvest. The film is the second installment of the Cannonball Run trilogy and a sequel to The Cannonball Run (1981). Like the first film, it is set around an illegal cross-country race.

<i>Corpse Bride</i> 2005 stop-motion animated film by Tim Burton

Corpse Bride is a 2005 stop-motion animated dark fantasy film directed by Mike Johnson and Tim Burton from a screenplay by John August, Caroline Thompson, and Pamela Pettler, based on characters created by Burton and Carlos Grangel. The plot is set in a fictional Victorian era village in England. Johnny Depp leads the cast as the voice of Victor, while Helena Bonham Carter voices Emily, the title bride. An international co-production between the United States and United Kingdom, produced by Tim Burton Productions and Laika Entertainment, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, Corpse Bride is the first stop-motion feature film directed by Burton after previously producing The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and James and the Giant Peach (1996).

<i>Down and Out in Beverly Hills</i> 1986 film by Paul Mazursky

Down and Out in Beverly Hills is a 1986 American comedy film co-written and directed by Paul Mazursky, based on the 1919 French play Boudu sauvé des eaux, which was later adapted into the 1932 film Boudu sauvé des eaux by Jean Renoir. The film stars Nick Nolte, Bette Midler, and Richard Dreyfuss. The plot follows a rich but dysfunctional family who save the life of a suicidal homeless man. Musician Little Richard appears as a neighbor, and performs "Great Gosh A'Mighty" during a party scene.

<i>Rollover</i> (film) 1981 American thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula

Rollover is a 1981 American political thriller drama film directed by Alan J. Pakula and starring Jane Fonda and Kris Kristofferson. The film was nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Actor for Kristofferson.

<i>Bolero</i> (1984 film) 1984 film by John Derek

Bolero is a 1984 American romantic drama film written and directed by John Derek and starring Bo Derek. The film centers on the protagonist's sexual awakening and her journey around the world to pursue an ideal first lover who will take her virginity.

<i>Vampire in Brooklyn</i> 1995 film directed by Wes Craven

Vampire in Brooklyn is a 1995 American vampire comedy horror film directed by Wes Craven. It stars Eddie Murphy, who produced and wrote with his brothers Vernon Lynch and Charles Q. Murphy. The film co-stars Angela Bassett, Allen Payne, Kadeem Hardison, John Witherspoon, Zakes Mokae, and Joanna Cassidy. Murphy also plays an alcoholic preacher, Pauly, and a foul-mouthed Italian-American mobster, Guido, respectively.

"The Limo" is the 19th episode of the third season of the American sitcom Seinfeld. It aired on NBC on February 26, 1992.

<i>Tomboy</i> (1985 film) 1985 film by Herb Freed

Tomboy is a 1985 American teen comedy film directed by Herb Freed and starring Betsy Russell.

<i>Bride Wars</i> 2009 American film

Bride Wars is a 2009 American romantic comedy film directed by Gary Winick and written by Greg DePaul, June Diane Raphael, and Casey Wilson. Two childhood best friends, who have made many plans together for their respective weddings, turn into sworn enemies in a race to get married first.

<i>How Do You Know</i> 2010 romantic comedy film directed by James L. Brooks

How Do You Know is a 2010 American romantic comedy film directed, written and produced by James L. Brooks, and starring Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd and Jack Nicholson in his final film role to date. It was the third film to feature Witherspoon and Rudd following Overnight Delivery and Monsters vs. Aliens. The plot follows softball player Lisa (Witherspoon), who is caught in a love triangle between two men—the charming baseball player Matty (Wilson) and George (Rudd), a businessman who is charged for stock fraud.

<i>Stretch</i> (2014 film) 2014 American film

Stretch is a 2014 American crime comedy film written and directed by Joe Carnahan and starring Patrick Wilson, Ed Helms, James Badge Dale, Brooklyn Decker, Jessica Alba, and Chris Pine. Wilson portrays the title character, a struggling limousine chauffeur who finds his life in danger after he picks up a mysterious millionaire (Pine).

<i>Hot Pursuit</i> (2015 film) 2015 American film

Hot Pursuit is a 2015 American action comedy film directed by Anne Fletcher and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Written by David Feeney and John Quaintance, the story follows a police officer assigned to protect the widow of a drug boss from corrupt cops and criminals who want her dead as they race through Texas to avoid detection. The film stars Reese Witherspoon and Sofía Vergara.

<i>The Intern</i> (2015 film) 2015 film by Nancy Meyers

The Intern is a 2015 American comedy-drama film directed, written, and produced by Nancy Meyers. The film stars Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, and Rene Russo, with supporting performances from Anders Holm, Andrew Rannells, Adam DeVine, and Zack Pearlman. The plot follows a 70-year-old widower who becomes a senior intern at a fashion website, where he forms an unlikely friendship with the company's workaholic CEO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schoharie limousine crash</span> 2018 accident in upstate New York

In the early afternoon of October 6, 2018, a stretch limousine crashed at the junction of New York state routes 30 and 30A, north of Schoharie and 30 miles west of Albany. The crash killed 20: the driver, all 17 passengers, and two pedestrians who were in a nearby parking lot. The passengers were mostly from communities around the Capital District, primarily Amsterdam, and were on their way to celebrate a birthday at Brewery Ommegang near Cooperstown. Among them were four sisters and two recently married couples.

References

  1. Box Office Information for My Chauffeur. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 16, 2016
  2. Novak, Ralph (February 24, 1986). "Review: My Chauffeur". People Magazine.
  3. "Crown To Release 'My Chauffeur' Wide". Variety . January 22, 1986. p. 6.
  4. Greenberg, James (January 28, 1986). "'Chauffeur' Drives To Top Parking Spot". Daily Variety . p. 6.
  5. "'My Chauffeur' Boxoffice Sparks Industry Skepticism". Daily Variety . January 29, 1986. p. 17.
  6. Greenberg, James (February 4, 1986). "'Down and Out' Panhandles Biggest Opening Of Year At National B.O.". Daily Variety . p. 6.
  7. Greenberg, James (February 11, 1986). "'Down and Out' Up and Over Last Week's Nat'l B.O. Tally". Daily Variety . p. 6.