moonspinner55 Review of Overboard

Overboard (1987)

Irrational sitcom with bright moments...and yet much mean-spiritedness

[6/10 · 28 March 2009]

Goldie Hawn has fun playing a rich shrew who locks horns with sweaty carpenter Kurt Russell and tosses his tools off her yacht and into the ocean; later, after she's been diagnosed with amnesia, vengeful Kurt (and his gaggle of pre-teen sons) take Goldie in and convince her she's a wife and mother to the unruly brood. Slight comic premise doesn't make much logical sense (sure, the carpenter wants pay-back, but why would he invite a woman he hates into his home? She's still the same harpy as before, with or without her memory). The obvious rapport between real-life couple Hawn and Russell keeps the film going, but supporting players Roddy McDowall, Edward Herrmann and Katherine Helmond never get a truly funny line. Garry Marshall directs in his usual scrappy, frustrating fashion, but even his anything-for-a-laugh agenda can't overcome the mean-spirited undermining here (as well as a few sub-plots which go nowhere). The final moments are well done, however, and Hawn's energy is always engaging. **1/2 from ****