SGT. BILKO
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1996 Michael John Legeros
(Universal)
Directed by Jonathan Lynn
Written by Andy Breckman
Cast Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, Phil Hartman, Glenne Headly
MPAA Rating "PG"
Running Time 92 minutes
Reviewed at General Cinemas at Pleasant Valley, Raleigh, NC
(27MAR96)
==
Another TV sitcom ("The Phil Silvers Show") mined for the movies, SGT. BILKO stars Steve Martin as the famous fast-talking master sergeant who will do anything for a buck. He runs the base casino-- that is, motor pool-- under the unsuspecting eye of his commanding officer (Dan Aykroyd). He also has a gambling-addicted fiancee (Glenn Headly), who doesn't seem to mind being repeatedly left at the altar. (He wins her back, each time, with a card game.) Only with the return of an old nemesis (Phil Hartman), is Bilko forced to adjust, adapt, and, of course, come out smelling like a rose.
As contemporary combat comedies go, STRIPES is still the one to beat. SGT. BILKO lacks a strong story, ensemble, or lead. The script is an abomination that recycles the decades-old material with nary an original twist. (The plot involves some nonsense about a "hovertank.") The laughs are there, in spots, but nothing in the movie builds upon itself. A wealth of comic opportunity is wasted, along with good actors Hartman and Headly. (The smaller players score minor hits, as does Dan Aykroyd's underplayed base boss.)
The biggest misfire is Martin, who belongs here but doesn't. He lacks the steely shiftiness to make the role his own. (A better choice would be someone like, say, Rip Torn. Of course, *he's* not a box- office draw.) Martin doesn't *command* SGT. BILKO, but he does *carry* it. His limitless energy and precision timing single- handedly keeps the film in step, and that's a performance worth watching even if the movie isn't. And, yes, that's Phil's daughter Catherine playing one of the auditors called in to check Bilko's financial records. Directed by Jonathan Lynn (MY COUSIN VINNY).
Grade: C+
--
Mike Legeros - Raleigh, NC
legeros@nando.net (h) - legeros@unx.sas.com (w)
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