So Fine, released in theaters on September 25, 1981, is a screwball comedy centered on a case of mistaken identity and a tailor’s worst nightmare that inadvertently creates a global fashion phenomenon. The film is a lighthearted look at academia, the mob, and the ridiculousness of trends.
The plot introduces Bobby Fine (Ryan O’Neal), a mild-mannered, English literature professor at a struggling university run by his domineering father, Professor Fine (Fred Gwynne).
Bobby finds his academic life increasingly interrupted by the demands of his uncle, Jack, a tailor with deep ties to the mob.
Uncle Jack owes money to the ruthless and volatile local crime boss, Enzo (Jack Warden), and Bobby is tasked with working off the debt at the tailor shop.
The central source of chaos arrives when Bobby becomes involved with Enzo’s stunning and glamorous wife, Alex (Mariangela Melato).
During a clandestine encounter, Bobby is forced to flee Alex’s home in a panic. In the ensuing struggle, his expensive, custom-made trousers are ripped away, forcing him to improvise a cover for his exposed rear end by tucking the remaining material into his boots.
Unbeknownst to him, this ridiculous, exposed look is photographed and mistakenly interpreted by the fashion world as the latest rebellious trend.
The “exposed butt” look dubbed “So Fine” becomes an overnight sensation, driving Bobby, who needs to keep his identity secret from Enzo, deep into hilarious complications.
The film relies heavily on physical comedy and fast-paced misunderstandings.
Richard Kiel adds a menacing physical presence as Enzo’s silent, enormous bodyguard, while the rest of the cast navigates the escalating absurdity.
Writer-director Andrew Bergman uses his background in comedy writing to craft sharp, farcical dialogue that fuels the chaotic narrative.
So Fine (Photo/Warner Bros.)
Reception for So Fine
So Fine grossed $2.6 million on its opening weekend, finishing in third place at the box office behind Mommie Dearest and Only When I Laugh.
So Fine grossed $9.4 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
So Fine holds its status as a quintessential early 1980s farce, a classic Bergman setup where the ordinary man is swallowed by extraordinary, absurd circumstances.
It remains a silly but enjoyable satire on how quickly fleeting fame and cultural fads can take hold, asking whether one accidental wardrobe malfunction can truly change the world.
