Robert Downey Jr. took me Back to School (1986) this week. In the film, Thornton Melon (played by Rodney Dangerfield) decides to take a break from his lucrative Tall & Fat clothing enterprise to bond with his nerdy son at college and advance his high-school-level education. Hilarity ensues in a series of one-liners and oh-so-many puns.
Four films into my research, I can categorically say that the 1980s were a very particular time for RDJ–a lot of frilly collars, dyed hair, and over-exaggerated facial expressions. All of these elements remain constant whether he portrays the most popular guy in school or a social outcast, as in this week’s film. At this point, I am ready for some 90s-style developments.
I am going to keep this week’s column short and sweet due to a botched keyboard and a general lack of enthusiasm over RDJ’s annoying character. Watch the following two clips, and you’ll see what I mean.
Until next week, this is the Kich signing off.
As the guy who screamed “use that clip!” re: the top video here, I’d like to point out that it’s a brilliant piece of physical comedy–I don’t know how much more you could want out of the man.