Moon Over Parador
by Paul Mazursky
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Dana Delany, Jonathan Winters, Raul Julia, Richard Dreyfuss, Sonia BragaDirector: Paul Mazursky
Brand: UNI DIST CORP. (MCA)
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 103 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-08-03
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Moon Over Parador
Movie Review: Banana-Republic sleeper
Summary: 5 Stars
This clever film is a comedy sleeper; Paul Mazursky gathers a fine cast and puts over an amusing comedy about an actor impersonating a banana republic dictator. Yes, we've seen funny films about dodgey Latin American countries rife with ex-Nazis and goofy leaders, and yes, impersonation gags are nothing new in comedy films, but this has a certain freshness that makes this a minor gem.
The film is shot in Minais Gerais, Brazil, and the slightly crumbling colonial architecture is the perfect background for the fictional Republic of Parador. Richard Dreyfuss is almost too believable as a second-rate actor Jack Noah. In fact, he is often overshadowed by the late and highly talented Raul Julia, who plays the power-mad, slightly homicidal genius behind Parador's dictatorship. When Il Presidente croaks, Dreyfuss is given the role of a lifetime, and the added perk of Madonna Mendez (Sonia Braga) as his lithesome mistress.
The only flaw with the film is that Dreyfuss is not as funny as Julia, Braga or even Mazursky, who fills in as Il Presidente's redoutable Mama, a bit part in drag that was conjured up with other actresses who were to cameo in the role bailed out. Sadly, he's overshadowed by these huge talents, and that makes his critical part, the buffoon-like Alfonse Simms, President, a touch less amusing that it ought to be. And some of the cameos (Charo, Sammy Davis, Jr., Polly Holliday) could have been bigger. They were almost a waste.
A fun fact: The first dictator, the "real" Simms, is played by Dreyfuss' brother Lorin, rather than doing a doppleganger scene with a stand-in for Richard Dreyfuss in both roles.
A fun comedy, and one that is great to have in the DVD library. Best film ever made? No, but a good solid movie that is worth seeing from time to time when you need a good laugh.
Summary of Moon Over Parador
A BANANA REPUBLIC-POLICE CHIEF FORCES A U.S. ACTOR TO IMPERSONATE A DEAD DICTATOR.Similar DVD Movies
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