All of Me--Review

ALL OF ME. Directed by Carl Reiner; written by Phil Alden Robinson; produced by Stephen Friedman for Universal. Starring Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin and Victoria Tennant. Rated PG.

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Is prolonged, hysterical laughter hazardous to your health? If so, then All of Me certainly rates a Surgeon General's warning. One would expect, one would hope, a movie with Martin and Tomlin would be this funny. And it delivers.

The idea of the story is crazy enough to be well-suited to the stars' talents. Roger (Martin) is a lawyer suffering the beginnings of a midlife crisis. Edwina (Tomlin) is a fabulously wealthy eccentric nearing life's final crisis. She, at least, has a plan for the future. Upon her death, her guru (a wonderfully funny Richard Libertini) is to transfer her soul into the beautiful, healthy body of Terry (Tennant). Terry, presumably, is eager for her soul to become one with the universe. Of course, Edwina is changing her will to leave everything to Terry, so that she (Edwina) can continue to enjoy it.

Logical, right? Naturally, such a well-thought-out plan has to go awry. The will-changing is where Roger comes in. But he also accidentally becomes the repository of Edwina's soul instead of Terry. His consciousness is definitely not one with the universe, so he and Edwina have to share the same body.

Since Roger and Edwina got along none too well in separate bodies, the stage is set for some fireworks. And set also for some virtuoso physical comedy by Martin. Roger/Edwina learning to walk, trying to relieve him/herself, trying to make love (with Terry, of all people) are just some of the hilarious situations.

But not all the humor is slapstick. Sparring partners at first, friends at the end, Roger and Edwina engage in some wonderfully funny conversations. (When Roger looks in the mirror, he sees Edwina, and they can hear each other's thoughts.) Plus a good bit of witty commentary on sexual differences comes out of the pair's struggles, especially since Edwina had led a pretty sheltered life, and her knowledge of these things is somewhat limited. (Note: There is very little objectionable language, and no nudity or violence in All of Me. But many of the jokes and situations are quite risque.)

Martin is especially impressive here. In a courtroom scene where the inner Edwina takes over for the sleepy Roger, true genius shines through. It may be impossible to imagine Martin doing a perfect impersonation of Tomlin doing her macho character—as a lawyer—but that's what happens. I would love to see All of Me again, if only for this scene.

Tomlin has less opportunity to grandstand than Martin. But she creates a funny, yet three-dimensional character largely through voice and facial expressions alone. And it's due to her collaboration that Martin is able to do so, too, probably for the first time. Let's hope this won't be their only movie together.

NOTE: this movie made my 10-best list for 1984.

September 26, 1984