BACHELOR PARTY. Directed by Neal Israel; written by Neal Israel and Pat Proft; produced by Ron Moler and Bob Israel for 20th Century Fox. Starring Tom Hanks and Tawny Kitaen. Rated R (language, nudity, vulgarity).
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"Let's party!" This watchword of the '80's is what Bachelor Party is all about. It's raunchy and irreverent, but quite funny as well. Without Hanks as the main character, groom-to-be Rick Gassko, the movie would have little socially (or otherwise) redeeming value. But he's in almost every scene, and he has a sure comic touch.
The movie's plot is simplicity itself. When Rick announces his engagement to the lovely Debbie (Kitaen), his bonzo friends have one thought—bachelor party! Thwarted by ineptitude and a jealous ex-boyfriend, the party almost fizzles. But not to worry. The hookers finally arrive, along with an increasing number of party crashers of all types. And a good time is had by all. Even by Rick, who made a promise to Debbie and remains chaste, though not subdued, throughout the evening.
Just from the plot, Bachelor Party could be a stag film. But it's not. Although there is some nudity, there is little sex on-screen. The adolescent vulgarity, however, is almost non-stop, if harmless and eventually even a bit infectious.
Hanks saves the movie from being just a string of bad jokes. Kitaen is pretty, but little else. Rick's friends are too obnoxious to be funny most of the time. And Debbie's parents, the token "adults," are one-dimensional stereotypes. So Hanks must come to the rescue singlehandedly. Fortunately, he is capable of doing just that. Much crazier here than in Splash, his comic style is a hybrid of Michael Keaton and Bill Murray. Ludicrous and funny are by no means the same thing. But Hanks can make a ridiculous character in a crazy situation quite funny as well. Sometimes just with a look, or an unexpected inflection.
Bachelor Party is definitely not for all tastes. But if sophomoric vulgarity does not offend, and if you're not looking for a profound intellectual experience, it's quite an entertaining movie. It's full of energy, at the least. And the good comic performance by Hanks will reward a little patience with the crudity.
July 18, 1984