This movie makes three cardinal errors of Movie making that make it destined to bomb: Bad casting, lack of chemistry and unlikely characters. I am not sure why Ann Margret agreed to act opposite a guy like Bruce Dern. She must have thought this would be a kitschy thing to add to her resume, or, maybe she was just going through a career crisis herself. The two possess not even a micron of chemistry to even make this film mildly engaging.
Of course, as this subtle title suggests, the male lead, Bruce Dern, is going through a midlife crisis. Turning 40 and looking closer to 50, he shrugs the advances of his adoring wife and looks to sow some oats elsewhere. Trying to obtain a lost sense of youth can be precarious, but there are hundreds of other films that did such a better job, were more believable and actually funny. Bruce Dern is one of those actors I never could connect with. He has played villains, weirdos and intense roles, albeit a bit over the top. Here, his role is just wrong for him. He doesn't have the leading man looks and comes across as sort of a nervous hick. His performance is hyper and bug eyed and Ann Margret's character ignores this. It's as if she was acting stupid to make this awkward pairing more palatable. Even more peculiar is that they are supposed to be a Nuovo-riche couple with humble Texas roots. Their dialogue is crude and unsophisticated and we are expected to relate with them.
1980 was a big year for movies with many a block buster as well as flops. This movie, with it's blatant title 'Middle age Crazy' would have to rely on its title alone to attract any attention.
