Search - Pittsburgh on DVD

Marie L. (Carosell) from PRESCOTT, AZ
Reviewed on 7/24/2018...

I have been a fan of Jeff Goldblum and Illeana Douglas so I enjoyed this movie a lot. Some of it was a little painful to watch as things have changed a lot in our culture.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Film is an absolute riot

Julie Ransom | Pittsburgh, PA | 08/30/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I initially watched this movie primarily because I live in Pittsburgh and like Jeff Goldblum. But - even if you aren't from Pittsburgh and only moderately like Jeff Goldblum, this film is worth a watch and I would highly recommend it.

The film reminded me of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" where the central character (in this case, Goldblum) is the vortex with a cast of eccentric characters swirling around him.

Probably most funny are the scenes with Illeana Douglas and new beau Moby and Goldblum, who's trying really, really hard to like Moby, despite some of the stuff Moby is saying - and watching. There's also scene set in a parade with Douglas and Moby that is also very funny.

Watching Goldblum's mother and stepfather, you'll see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Jeff's mom is a pip, 80 years young with a 57-year old husband (and - they've been married for 20 years!), who also has a not-so-secret crush on Illeana Douglas.

Also hysterical are Goldblum's exchanges with his agent/manager, whose voice mails to Goldblum become more and more frantic as Goldblum remains resolute in his decision to ditch Hollywood for the lead role of Harold Hill in the Music Man - giving up a multi-million dollar deal and the coveted first guest slot on Conan O'Brien.

Goldblum cast old friends, and you can see the affection and love he has for Douglas as well as Ed Begley Jr., who ropes Goldblum into becoming a reluctant spokesperson for what you guess is another one of Begley's get-rich-quick gadgets.

The quick glimpses you get of Pittsburgh are good - most exterior shots are on one of the famous sister bridges downtown and on streets downtown.

While the film is built around the premise of Goldblum doing Music Man as a way to be with his fiancee and prevent her from getting booted out of the US (she's Canadian and is here on a work visa), you see surprisingly little of her on screen. So while Goldblum talks and talks to his friends about how in love he is with Catherine, one sees only a short glimpse of that relationship.

Nevertheless, it is funny and smart and I would recommend it to anyone who likes smart, quirky comedies."

Great quirky comedy

D | 12/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to say, I'm disappointed by the lukewarm reviews of this film. I really liked it! Okay, so it's no "Waiting for Guffman", but it's a heck of a lot better than Christopher Guest's last movie. In fact, it's one of the more enjoyable comedies I've seen in a while.

I'm amazed at how thoroughly Jeff Goldblum owns this film. His goofy, winning personality shines throughout and is a pleasure to watch. He (or at least the version of himself in the film) is the kind of guy I'd like to have as a best friend - his quirky behavior is totally endearing. The other actors are great too, especially Illeana Douglas.

I guess I can see why Pittsburgh isn't for everyone. It's a subtle humor, relying more on personality quirks than jokes, and there aren't that many laugh-out-loud moments. But I really enjoyed it and even decided to buy the DVD. If you haven't seen it yet, I recommend renting it if you're a fan of Guest's films or of sweet, silly comedies."