Moving (1988)

Director:

Alan Metter

Writer:

Andy Breckman (writer)

Release Date:

4 March 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

On the New Jersey Turnpike, no one can hear you scream.

Plot:

Arlo accepts what seems to him to be a dream promotion to Idaho. He soon discovers, however, that moving has its own share of problems.

Plot Keywords:

Moving | Engineer | Lawn Mower | Con | Limousine

Cast

Richard Pryor	...	Arlo Pear
Beverly Todd	...	Monica Pear
Stacey Dash	...	Casey Pear
Raphael Harris	...	Marshall Pear
Ishmael Harris	...	Randy Pear
Randy Quaid	...	Frank / Cornall Crawford
Tony Rolan	...	Parking Attendant
Claire Malis	...	Helen Frederick
John Wesley	...	Roy Hendersen
Jason Marin	...	Paperboy
Traci Lind	...	Natalie (as Traci Lin)
Will Gill Jr.	...	Security Guard
Don Franklin	...	Kevin
Gordon Jump	...	Simon Eberhart
Dave Thomas	...	Gary Marcus

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:15 | Netherlands:AL | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Boise, Idaho, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

When Arlo's Saab is brought back there is a car door from a police car attached to the bumper with the words "GO POLICE" visible. The font and color are the same as the Chicago Police dept. used at the time of filming.

Goofs:

Factual errors: As the Pears are moving, one of the movers mentions that it is Mardi Gras time. Mardi Gras takes place in the winter. However, both New Jersey and Idaho appear to be experiencing a curiously warm winter since all of the people are wearing summer-type clothing and all of the lawns are green.

Quotes:

Loan broker: Everything is OK. Your application is fine. But right now, I can't give you any money.
Arlo Pear: When *can* you give us the money?
Loan broker: Mr. Pear, are you a gambling man?
Arlo Pear: No, I'm not!
Loan broker: Well, you are now. Look, I'm gonna level with you people. I just bet a big chunk of the bank's money on Hannah Blue in the 7th at Hallmark Downs.
Arlo Pear: That's embezzlement!
Loan broker: That's right. And that's exactly what I've been doing here for 22 years. But I'll tell ya, this horse can't lose. You'll get your money for the house. This horse has never lost on a wet track.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)

Wonderful Laughs

Moving (1988)

*** (out of 4)

All hell breaks loose after Richard Pryor loses his job and must move his family from NJ to Boise, ID. I remember seeing this in the theater back when it was released and since then it's always been a personal favorite, although I probably haven't seen it in at least seven or eight years. I personally feel that Pryor was the funniest man I've ever seen do stand up but the majority of his features never captured the magic that he could bring to stand up. However stupid this movie is, I still find it quite funny. I'm not sure what it is about this movie but it makes me laugh and keeps a smile on my face throughout. Randy Quaid, Rodney Dangerfield and Dana Carvey are very funny in their small roles as well.