Dennis Potter’s TV serial is given the Hollywood treatment here with Steve Martin playing troubled sheet music salesman Arthur Parker.
It’s set in Chicago during the Depression, where Martin’s frustrated marriage spurs him into a dangerous dalliance with feisty schoolteacher Eileen (Bernadette Peters).
The drama is offset and enriched by their happy-go-lucky musical numbers – by far the most enjoyable feature of the film.
The cinematography is rich and slick, the leads are engaging and Christopher Walken’s version of The Full Monty is a showstopper.
Arthur Parker
Steve Martin Eileen
Bernadette Peters Tom
Christopher Walken Joan
Jessica Harper Accordion man
Vernel Bagneris Mr Warner
John McMartin Detective
John Karlen Banker
Jay Garner Al
Robert Pitch Ed
Tommy Rail Blind girl
Eliska Krupka Bartender
Frank McCarthy
Director
Herbert Ross
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The drama is offset and enriched by their happy-go-lucky musical numbers – by far the most enjoyable feature of the film.
