The Best of Times (1986)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Roger Spottiswoode

Writer:

Ron Shelton (writer)

Release Date:

31 January 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

A film with a catch (or two).

Plot:

A small-town loser determines to have one more shot at the big time by winning a football game. |

Plot Keywords:

Small Town | Urination Scene | Reunion | American Football | Sports Team

Cast

Robin Williams	...	Jack Dundee
Kurt Russell	...	Reno Hightower
Pamela Reed	...	Gigi Hightower
Holly Palance	...	Elly Dundee
Donald Moffat	...	The Colonel
Margaret Whitton	...	Darla
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Charlie
Donovan Scott	...	Eddie
R.G. Armstrong	...	Schutte
Dub Taylor	...	Mac
Carl Ballantine	...	Arturo
Kathleen Freeman	...	Rosie
Tony Plana	...	Chico
Kirk Cameron	...	Teddy
Robyn Lively	...	Jaki

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | France:U | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Moorpark High School - 4500 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark, California, USA

Company:

Cinema Group Ventures

Trivia:

Though Hightower and Dundee's alma mater is universally referred to by the characters as "Taft", logos, signage and lettermen's jackets in the film identify it as (the fictional) Midway Union High School.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the final game, when Robin Williams character is shown 1-on-1 with the defender before the play, they are on Hightower's left, but whenever they show Jack running down the field, he is coming form Kurt Russell's right off the line of scrimmage.

Quotes:

Reno Hightower: She's gonna leave me as soon as I fix her car.
Jack Dundee: you gonna fix it?
Reno Hightower: Hell no! I love her.

Movie Connections:

References Ghost Busters (1984)

Soundtrack:

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

" I'm not a has-been, . . . . . I'm a never was. "

Have you ever in your life, gone out for a sport's activity, tried your best, and then found yourself in an important segment of it, where for a brief moment, you were given a chance to be a hero and a champion and . . . failed? I believe many of us have had that moment in our lives. This is the premise of the movie, "The Best of Times." In this story a middle age banker, named Jack Dundee (Robin Williams) suffers from the deep melancholy of a football mistake, which happened years ago, is inspired to re-play the game . . again. In order to accomplish this he must convince the once great football quarterback, Reno Hightower (Kurt Russell) to make a comeback. For Reno, who is satisfied with his present lot in life, see's no need to change the past record, which get's better as he ages. Added to both their problem is the fact years have passed and in addition, both their marriages are floundering and in need of re-vamping. Not easy when his Father-in-law (Donald Moffat) habitually reminds him of the biggest drop. Nevertheless, Dundee is persistent and will do anything to try and correct the greatest blunder of his life. Great fun for anyone wishing to enjoy their youth again. ***