Themes: Family Vacations, Nothing Goes Right, Vacation Romances
Main Cast: Charles Grodin, Robin Pearson Rose, John Ashton, Ellen Blake, Megan Mullally
Release Year: 1986
Country: US
Run Time: 80 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
George Lollar (Charles Grodin) overrides his wife's judgment and takes his family for a vacation on a sunny Caribbean island that just happens to be on the verge of a revolution. Their hotel is not the usual Hilton on the beach but a pick-up joint for singles where the main activities are sex, sex, and sex. In that order. As the horrified father watches almost helplessly, his wife becomes liberated, his daughter falls for a Frenchman who is actually a guerrilla, one of his sons loses his virginity to a buxom, worldly-wise woman, and his other son burns down the mini-camp he was forced to attend. But that's hardly the worst of it -- there is that small matter of a political overthrow about to explode on the scene. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
Review
From the creators of Revenge of the Nerds comes this entry straight from the video vaults of the '80s, Last Resort with Charles Grodin. Released just months before the similar-themed Robin Williams vehicle of the same year, Club Paradise, this hit-or-miss laugher spans the gamut from wacky family comedy to a drug-induced hormonal tale of sex, war, and various SNL cast members hamming it up to the camera. While Jon Lovitz has since gained co-billing status, his bartender role is a definitely a few steps below Phil Hartman's sly gay Frenchman character, Jean-Michel, who serves up constant wisdom to Grodin's typical shtick. Mario Van Peebles also co-stars as another flamboyant island worker who's good for a few choice moments (including his Rambo-turn in the end). Politically correct audience members might take offense at some of the stereotypes, but thankfully, they're just over-the-top enough to be appreciated as outrageous characters -- besides, they're just about the best thing going for the flick, if you exclude Robin Pearson Rose's off-the-wall turn as the doped up wife. In the end, this is a Grodin vehicle all the way. Those that get the funny man's allure will enjoy this piece of fluff, but don't expect it to age like any kind of fine comedic wine. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Christopher Ames - Brad Lollar; Scott Nemes - Bobby Lollar; Jon Lovitz - Bartender; Gerritt Graham - Curt; Mario Van Peebles - Pino; Brenda Bakke - Veroneeka; William Bumiller - Etienne; Phil Hartman - Jean-Michel; Mimi Lieber - Mimi; Steve Levitt - Pierre; Zane Buzby - Martine; Ian Abercrombie - Maitred'; Brett Baxter Clark - Manuello; Sandy Ignon - Guerrilla; Joycee Katz - Connie; Irina Maleeva - Maria; Eduardo Ricard - Juan; Victor Rivers - Klaus; Jacob Vargas - Carlos; Buck Young - Mr.Emerson; Twinkle Bayoud - Herself; Morgan Douglas - Pilot; Chip Johannessen - Firebreather; Patti R. Lee - Patti; Michael Markowitz - Guerrilla; Gregory Michaels - Guerrilla; David Mirkin - Walter Ambrose; Wally Wharton - Wanda
Credit
Julia Gombert - Costume Designer, Zane Buzby - Director, Gregory Scherick - Editor, Steve Nelson - Composer (Music Score), Thom Sharp - Composer (Music Score), Colin Irwin - Production Designer, Curtis Schnell - Production Designer, Stephen M. Katz - Cinematographer, Alex Nepomniaschy - Cinematographer, Julie Corman - Producer, Douglas Mowat - Set Designer, Ronald O. Coe - Special Effects, John Cardos - Stunts, Jeff Buhai - Screenwriter, Steven Zacharias - Screenwriter
