The Pick-Up Artist
by James Toback
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Danny Aiello, Dennis Hopper, Mildred Dunnock, Molly Ringwald, Robert Downey Jr.Director: James Toback
Brand: Fox
Cinematographer: Gordon Willis
Writer: James Toback
Editor: Angelo Corrao
Editor: David Bretherton
Producer: David Leigh MacLeod
Producer: Warren Beatty
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 81 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-12-16
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of The Pick-Up Artist
Movie Review: The face of a Picasso and the body of a Rubens
Summary: 5 Stars
A young, fresh-faced Robert Downey Jr. (billed as Robert Downey) was Jack Jericho, the pick up artist. He rehearses his pick up lines in front of his mirror, and refines them constantly. For instance, when the principal of the school he teaches at admonishes him for picking up on his student's mother with a line like, 'you have the face of a Picasso and the body of a Rubens' he can't help but criticize his choice of artists. Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens was known for his fondness for full-figured women, such as his Venus at the Mirror, so saying a woman has the body of a Rubens is tantamount to calling her fat. And Picasso was a cubist, so the face of a Picasso could have facial features in random locations, as in his Dora Maar au Chat or Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. He takes his principle's advice -- not the part about not hitting on anything in a skirt -- the part about Picasso faces and Rubens bodies being less than flattering. He refines his pick up line:
Jack Jericho: Did anyone ever tell you that you have the face of a Botticelli and the body of a Degas?
Writer/Director James Toback reportedly based the Jack character on himself. Jack Jericho is very likeable, except for the fact that he is always hitting on anything with a pulse. He teaches school, and coaches baseball, and he gives his grandmother her diabetes medicine and tries to keep her from scarfing down candy bars. Even if he does try to use the baseball team kids as props, his heart is generally in the right place.
When he meets Randy Jensen (Molly Ringwald) his walls come tumblin' down. She is wise beyond her years but cynical and world weary -- the toll of taking care of her father, Flash (Dennis Hopper), a gambler with huge debts and a drinking problem. Harvey Keitel plays the thug who needs to collect, or else. Randy had to grow up fast to survive, and she sees right through an operator like Jack Jericho, and she'll have none of it. However, the more she shuns him, the harder he chases her. It is nice to see Molly with an edge. She's never been more attractive. She knows when to hold 'em, and she knows when to fold 'em, if you get my drift.
Bottom line, this is a slightly silly romantic comedy, but I was very entertained by it. Downey is bubbling with energy, and Ringwald tries to bring him down, but you can't keep a good Downey down. Hopper was no Frank Booth, but he was still Hopper. Harvey Keitel was no Bad Lieutenant, but he was still Harvey Keitel. Danny Aiello did the right thing, and Lorraine Bracco sang like a soprano.
Speaking of singing, there were some great tunes on the soundtrack, but sadly, the very next day after watching The Pick Up Artist I learned that Ellie Greenwich, who had co-written a lot of them, had just passed away:
"Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)"
Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector
Performed by The Crystals
Produced by Phil Spector
"Do Wah Do Wah Do Wah Diddy (Talkin' 'bout the Boy From New York City)"
Written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich
Performed by The Exciters
"Wait Til' My Bobby Gets Home"
Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector
Performed by Darlene Love
Produced by Phil Spector
Aside from these Greenwich classics there's also a scene set to "She's Crafty" by The Beastie Boys that strangely seems to fit; and watch for a credible performance of Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" by the multi-talented Robert Downey Jr. and a would-be mugger. Stevie Wonder contributes a song called "The Pick Up Artist" and I wondered if the song was written for the movie, or if the movie was written around the song.
A Scanner Darkly (2006) Robert Downey Jr. was James Barris
The Piano (1993) Harvey Keitel was George Baines
Bad Lieutenant (1992) Harvey Keitel was The Lieutenant
Chaplin (1992) Robert Downey Jr. was Charles Spencer Chaplin
Hudson Hawk (1991) Danny Aiello was Tommy 'Five-Tone' Messina
Do the Right Thing (1989) Danny Aiello was Salvatore 'Sal' Fragione
Fresh Horses (1988) Molly Ringwald was Jewel
Pretty in Pink (1986) Molly Ringwald was Andie Walsh
Blue Velvet (1986) Dennis Hopper was Frank Booth
Rebel without a Cause (1955) Dennis Hopper was Goon
Jack Jericho: Did anyone ever tell you you're too good to be true?
Randy Jensen: No only that I'm too truthful to be good.
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Summary of The Pick-Up Artist
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