Overboard

While most comedies today are froth with four-letter words, drug and sexual references galore and inane writing, we are handed, once in a while, a comedy whereas is entertaining as well as clean for anyone to watch. When the original "Overboard" first released in 1987, this was when most comedies were considered 'safe'. Well, now we have the rebooted "Overboard" where it is considered a rarity of wholesomeness.

 

In a splashy new twist, this story focuses on Leonardo (Eugenio Derbez), a selfish, spoiled, rich playboy from Mexico's richest family and Kate (Anna Faris), a working class single mom of three hired to clean Leonardo's luxury yacht. After unjustly firing Kate and refusing to pay her, Leonardo falls overboard when partying too hard and wakes up on the Oregon coast with amnesia. Kate shows up at the hospital and, to get payback, convinces Leonardo he is her husband and puts him to work--for the first time in his life. At first miserable and inept, Leonardo slowly settles in. Eventually he earns the respect of his new 'family', friends, Theresa (Eva Longoria) and co-workers, Bobby (Mel Rodriguez) and Jason (Josh Segarra). But, with Leonardo's billionaire family hot on their trail and the possibility of his memory returning at any moment, will their new family last or will Leonardo finally put the clues together and leave them for good.

 

Others to round out the cast are Swoozie Kurtz as Grace, Kate's mom, John Hannah as Colin, Hannah Nordberg as Emily, Cecilia Suarez as Magdalena, Cynthia Mendez as Lucia, Mariana Trevino as Sofia, Garry Chalk as Dr. Fletcher, Alyvia Alyn Lind as Olivia and Fernando Lujan as Papi.

 

This was surprisingly well directed by Rob Greenberg ("The Fish Tank" (TV movie) '09, "Hitched" (TV movie) '10, "Lovelives" (TV movie) '11, "How I Met Your Dad" (TV movie) '14) plus TV. I say surprising because since his only film experience is that of TV movies, this is his breakout film. And if this is his first theatrical film, I'll be waiting for his next film. His ability to stage and pace his actors as well as he did was as professional as any of his counterparts. Certainly with all the TV experience, this has served him well. More directors, and writers for that matter, should take note. It was also solidly written by Bob Fisher and Greenberg based on a story by Leslie Dixon. This was every bit as well written as its predecessor, which is rare in the reboot biz. Even the original stars of "Overboard", Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell were reported as giving praise for this rendition. The story is the quintessential feel good, stand up and cheer story that we definitely need more of. Other than a couple of very small slow areas in script, this was funny and entertaining.

 

Gone are the days where we can see a funny, entertaining, wholesome family film that everyone will enjoy, however with this film we have all that and more. This will make you laugh and teary-eyed with a great message all with an entertaining flair. Enjoy this ride!

 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                       Rated: PG-13                                    112mins.