CABIN BOY
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1994 Michael John Legeros
Exec. Producers: Denise Di Novi and Tim Burton (!!!) Writer, director: Adam Resnick from a story with Chris Elliott Cast: Chris Elliott (GROUNDHOG DAY, THE ABYSS, TV's "Get a Life") Ritch Brinkley (TV's "Murphy Brown") Brian Doyle-Murray (GROUNDHOG DAY, WAYNE'S WORLD, JFK) Brion James (THE PLAYER, ANOTHER 48 HRS., 48 HRS.) James Gammon (LEAVING NORMAL, MAJOR LEAGUE) Melora Walters and a bizarre supporting cast including David Letterman (!), Andy Ritcher (!!), Ricki Lake, Russ Tamblyn (!!!), and Bob Elliott. MPAA Rating: "PG-13" (but still full of *very* salty language :-) Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes.
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"Nothing so liberates the heart as when a fool awakens from his folly."
- uncredited quote on title card
David Letterman and Conan O'Brien TV sidekick Andy Ritcher starring in a comedy produced by Tim Burton?
What!?!?
Believe it or not, both appear in the goofy Chris Elliott vehicle CABIN BOY. Elliott, of course, is an old Letterman alumni who went on "bigger things," including his show "Get a Life" on Fox. Now, Bob Elliott's boy has gone and got his own movie. And, believe or it not, it's actually kinda funny.
Elliott stars as Nathaniel, the prim but quite obnoxious student of a fine finishing school. On graduation day, he's supposed to catch a cruise ship to Hawaii where he'll work for his rich father (guess who plays him? :) But, true to slapstick convention, young Nathan goes to the wrong seaport and boards the wrong boat.
He hops onto a fetid fishing boat (called The Filthy Whore) and joins its rag-tag, drunken crew of five thinking that he's booked on a "theme cruise." Only when he's several miles out to sea does our not-very-intrepid hero learn the bitter truth.
And, since he's a moron, he manages to steer the boat straight into "Hell's Bucket"--an uncharted region populated by all manner of supernatural creatures....
CABIN BOY is a strange piece of work. With a supporting cast that includes a giant, a six-armed siren, and a half-man/half-shark, the film feels like a lower budget version of Terry Jones' ERIK THE VIKING. That film, if you recall, successfully combined droll comedy with strong fantasy.
In CABIN BOY, both the comedy and fantasy are substantially subdued, but no less enjoyable. What other film this year is likely to feature giant flying cupcakes that spit tobacco? Or gusting winds that are blown by clouds with human faces?
This would be great kid's stuff, if not for the language.
The humor--like the film itself--is spotty in spots. The jokes vary in quality, but the cast gets off some good one-liners. Make a few provisions for the slower moments, mix in the fantasy, and you get one very goofy movie.
As expected, Chris Elliott plays Chris Elliott. If you enjoy his grating speech and effeminate mannerisms, then he'll amuse. His shipmates are a motley crew of familiar character actors. They have a whale of a time overacting and shouting nonsense like "Holy Christ in a dump truck." Newcomer Melora Walters is a waste as Elliott's "love interest," but she gets good lines like "I'm always flattered when a psychotic gets smitten on me."
And, any casting deficiencies are overcome by the periodic appearances of more-famous faces. Blink and you'll miss Ricki Lake, Russ Tamblyn, or Bob Elliott.
(Letterman shows up early--you can't miss him.)
Bottom line: CABIN BOY is strict sitcom fare, with an unexpectedly
strong fantasy element. The result is a lively and
disposable comedy that's worth a look, if nothing
else, for David Letterman's (first?) film appearance.
Grade: B-
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