William Friedkin‘s 1983 dark comedy, Deal of the Century is a film that, despite a star-studded cast and a promising premise, failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike. Featuring Chevy Chase, Gregory Hines, and Sigourney Weaver, the film attempted to satirize the arms trade and the political climate of the 1980s.
The plot revolves around Eddie Muntz (Chase), a low-level arms dealer, who, with the help of his partner Ray Kasternak (Hines), embarks on a mission to sell a large quantity of military surplus to a South American dictator. Their journey takes them through a series of chaotic and absurd situations, often involving corrupt politicians, eccentric characters, and plenty of double-crossing.
Deal of the Century Reception
While the film had the potential to be a biting satire, it ultimately fell short due to a combination of factors. The script, though filled with witty dialogue and clever observations, lacked a cohesive narrative structure. The pacing was uneven, with some scenes dragging while others felt rushed. Additionally, the film’s tone was inconsistent, veering between dark comedy and slapstick humor.
The film was released theatrically in the United States on November 4, 1983 and grossed $10,369,581 at the domestic box office.
Deal of the Century was not well-liked by movie critics in 1983 and the film currently holds a 10% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
All-Star Cast
Despite the film’s shortcomings, the performances of the lead actors were commendable.
Chevy Chase, in particular, delivered a strong performance as the cynical and opportunistic arms dealer. This was Chase’s follow-up to the box-office hit National Lampoon’s Vacation and he would make amends with his fans in his next feature film, the iconic Fletch in 1985.
Gregory Hines also shone as the more idealistic and moralistic partner. Hines followed this misfire up with The Cotton Club (1984), White Nights (1985) and the popular Running Scared (1986) with Billy Crystal and long-considered one of the top buddy cop movies of the 80s.
Sigourney Weaver, though underutilized, added a touch of glamour and sophistication to the film. Weaver sandwiched this film between two massive hits in Alien (1979) and Ghostbusters (1984).
Wrap-Up
While “Deal of the Century” may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it remains an interesting curiosity for fans of dark comedy and 1980s cinema. It serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls of satire and the importance of a well-crafted script.
