|
Eric Idle's rambunctious Rutles are funny, but not that funny.
The idea of Idle - one of the founding members of the ubiquitous Monty Python troupe - lampooning the most famous rock and roll band in the history of the solar system seems to be a slam dunk . . . in theory. Among all the information out there about The Life of Brian and everything, it always seemed like Eric Idle and George Harrison were good, good pals. And with George's permission and, apparently cooperation, Idle was able to poke fun not just at the concept and idea of The Beatles, but was able to go straight to the source, cribbing album covers, concerts, and everything else necessary to create a picture-perfect send-up of all things fab.
And All You Need Is Cash came close. In this ingenious 1978 show (released simply as The Rutles in Britain), we watch all the drug use, the mega-success, and the fallout as only Eric Idle could provide - it's prescient, crazy-smart and, of course, hilarious.
But Can't Buy Me Lunch is, to be blunt, nothing but an attempt to cash in on that earlier success. Not so much a sequel, but a "recollection" of the Rutles' success (think of it as the goofball equivalent to The Beatles Anthology), this often-unbearable comedy is a ghost of its earlier incarnation.
We get tons of footage from the original All You Need Is Cash - that starred Bill Murray and Gilda Radner, among others (those two were particularly funny) - and a smattering of new interviews with folks like David Bowie and Mick Jagger. These interviewees definitely seem to have their hearts in it - Bowie discussing The Rutles 1 Greatest Hits album on one of this disc's extra features is fall-down hilarious - but the whole shebang just doesn't have much zest to it.
Part of this has to do with the fact that half of The Beatles are gone. George made a notable cameo in the first Rutles film, but this new mockumentary showcases the undeniable loss of magic in the aftermath of John Lennon's and George Harrison's deaths. Between pussyfooting around certain issues and not going for the hard-hitting jokes, Idle and company just tread water here.
Admittedly, Eric Idle treading water is funnier than what most sketch comedy writers achieve in a lifetime, so at the very least, hardcore Rutle-ites will find a smidgeon of worth here. But those looking for biting, astute Monty Python-esque tirades in Can't Buy Me Lunch will be sorely disappointed.
The Video: How Does The Disc Look?
This Rutles is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, and it looks just fine. The film is not very old - made just a few years ago - and the video technology represents itself well here. The only things that don't look fantastic are scenes from the original Rutles movie - All You Need is Cash - which have seen better days. But color contrast is fine, line quality is clean and video-worthy. All told, this transfer is right on.
The Audio: How Does The Disc Sound?
This part is disappointing. All You Need is Cash received a nice 5.1 Dolby Digital upgrade when it came out on DVD, but this release only has a 2-channel stereo mix. Sure, the sound design of Can't Buy Me Lunch is less overt and noticeable, but considering that this film is newer and therefore should be more techno-savvy, it's a shame to see the series take a step back. But everything sounds fine, even if it does sound desperately truncated compared to its older brother's mix.
Also included are English and French subtitles, and English Closed Captions.
Supplements: What Goodies Are There?
We get a wealth of additional interviews - with both cast members and visionaries like Bonnie Raitt, David Bowie (the king), and Salman Rushdie (!) - that runs about 26 minutes. There are some outtakes with Eric Idle's narrator character (8:00), and an alternate ending (4:30). All are enjoyably sweet and wonderfully short.
Exclusive DVD-ROM Features: What happens when you pop the disc into your PC?
There are no DVD-ROM features on this DVD.
Easter Eggs
There's a short deleted scene that can be found in the Special Features section of the disc (1:15).
Final Thoughts
For fans only. The transfer is okay and the sound mix is passable, but Can't Buy Me Lunch - especially with its $25 price tag - isn't a slam-dunk buy. But the extra interviews here are hilarious - David Bowie fans should take note.
|
