Rubin and Ed (1991)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Trent Harris

Writer (WGA):

Trent Harris (written by)

Release Date:

15 May 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

As soon as Ed saves Rubin's life, he's gonna kill him.

Plot:

Reclusive Rubin Farr teams up with vocal but unsuccessful multi-level salesman Ed Tuttle on a quest...

Plot Keywords:

Utah | Dead Cat | Salesman | Desert | Water Skiing

Cast

Crispin Glover	...	Rubin Farr
Howard Hesseman	...	Ed Tuttle
Karen Black	...	Rula
Michael Greene	...	Mr. Busta
Anna Louise Daniels	...	Rubin's Mom
Brittney Lewis	...	Poster Girl
Jonathan Chapin	...	Brat
Ray Gordon	...	Barking Man
Jane Mendenhall	...	Woman By Pool
Dorene Nielsen	...	Ed's Mom
James Nielsen	...	Ed's Dad
Frank Magner	...	Bob
Diane St. Cyr	...	Bonnie
Aaron Tranberg	...	Desk Sergeant
Michael Scott	...	Jimbo

Runtime:

USA:82 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Goblin Valley State Park - Highway 24, Green River, Utah, USA

Company:

Working Title Films

Trivia:

Crispin Glover infamously appeared on Late Night with David Letterman in 1987 dressed, and in character, as Rubin Farr. This caused much confusion to Letterman as he, after almost being kicked in the face by Glover, walked off his own set while still on the air.

Quotes:

Ed: All those years in bed, I never had ONE! SINGLE! ORGASM!
Rula: ARRGGGLE!

Movie Connections:

References "Late Night with David Letterman: (1987-07-28)" (1987)

Soundtrack:

Symphony #1 in D Minor

Quirky character driven comedy. Maybe a little too low key, but amusing enough.

I really enjoyed Trent Harris' bizarre Mormon comedy 'Plan Ten From Outer Space' (no relation to Ed Wood by the way), so I was pleased when I finally managed to see this, his previous movie. Not available on DVD yet as far as I know, it's worth trying to find in the video racks. i can't say I enjoyed it as much as 'Plan Ten...' but it was still an amusing and quirky comedy. Extremely low key, not really belly laugh material, but funny. The more you like Crispin Glover ('River's Edge') and 60s veteran Howard Hesseman ('Billy Jack') the more you will enjoy 'Rubin And Ed', as the comedy is mainly generated from their relationship. Hesseman plays Ed, an unsuccessful salesman who latches on to a weird slacker Rubin (Glover), desperately trying to make a sale. Rubin's beloved cat has recently died and he is searching for just the right resting place. Ed reluctantly assists him on his quest, and before you know it they get lost in the desert. Then things start to go downhill. Glover and Hesseman are both in fine form throughout. The rest of the cast are largely unknowns, apart from Karen Black ('Five Easy Pieces') as Hesseman's estranged wife. (Black also appears in 'Plan Ten From Outer Space') I enjoyed seeing her again as she is a most underrated actress, and I also was amused by the movies running gag involving Andy Warhol. Humour is a very personal thing, and this movie may not appeal to everybody, but I liked it.