Some of this one works really well, though the father-son themes and arcs getting lost under the comedy. The things that work, and the things that don’t work all come down to the same person, Rodney Dangerfield, the film’s star.

First and foremost he’s a comedian and not an actor, and that is readily apparent throughout as the film allows him to throw in a comedy bit through the course of each scene, whether it works for the character, or the story or not.

What the creative forces behind the camera did, however, was surround Dangerfield with solid actors. Sally Kellerman, Keith Gordon, Terry Farrell, M. Emmet Walsh, Burt Young, William Zabka, Ned Beatty, and Robert Downey Jr.

Thornton Melon (Dangerfield) is very rich and succesful, but he also believes in the words his father passed down to him, the importance of an education, though he never did it. Following the implosion of his latest marriage, he heads off to visit his son, Jason (Gordon) at university. The young man reveals he’s been thinking about dropping out, but Thornton suggests they do university together.

And while Jason wants to get through unibersity by putting in the work, Thronton just wants to have a good time, and often pays others to do his work for him. He is, however, interested in his english professor, Diane (Kellerman).

Both father and son may have to prove themselves academically and athletically before the close of the film.

I saw this when it first came out, and hadn’t seen it since. For the most part, it holds up pretty well, and ot’s interesting catching Downey at this early point in his career. His character, Derek, is out there, and seemed like it could have just been Downey goofing off.

I loved seeing Walsh and Young in this film, both of them turn in solid performances, while Gordon attempts to ground the father/son relationship and woo Farrell’s Valerie. Beatty when he shows up as the Dean (Martin) really leans into making himself sound a little hoighty-toighty and it’s very funny.

Dangerfield works best here when he’s not mugging for the cameras, and simply being in the scene. But that wasn’t the draw for his fans, they wanted the remarks, the cut-ups and snipes, and he delivers on those.

I think the film could have used a little more in the way of the father/son arc as well as a little bit more of academic achievement and jeopardy for both characters. Despite the stakes, father and son just seem to triapse through all their problems.

But that’s money I guess.

It was a pleasant surprise to learn that this one stands up though.