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Overboard

© Terri Clark

Kurt Russell
Goldie Hawn
MGM/UA
1987
Rated PG
Available on video.

What happens when a spoiled socialite rips off a working class, single dad? She ends up OVERBOARD, overwhelmed, and head over heels in love.

Goldie Hawn portrays Joanna Stayton, a pampered, rich bitch in an unhappy marriage. She and her husband, Grant, get stranded in a small Oregon town when their yacht needs repairs. Bored, Joanna hires a local carpenter, Dean Proffitt, to redesign her closets. Dean does the work, but his nasty employer refuses payment. When Joanna later falls overboard and loses her memory, Dean sees his chance for retribution. He brings her home, claiming she's Annie, his beloved wife and the mother of four, unruly boys. Dean's brilliant plan? To make her earn the money she owes him before he tells her the truth.

Meanwhile, Joanna's husband is celebrating his freedom by living the high life of a swinging bachelor. Not once does he miss his ill-tempered "Dittums."

Hilarity ensues as a very inept "Annie" learns to take care of the house and kids. Every chore is a challenge--from defrosting the freezer (with a blow dryer) to cleaning the dining table (vacuums it). Annie isn't just out of her element, she's in a completely different universe--one without servants, champagne, and designer clothes. Love and lies grow until The End, when the truth comes out and Dean and Joanna have to decide if they really belong together, or if they only went overboard for awhile.

Goldie is laugh-out-loud funny as she acclimates herself to her new surroundings. Kurt is devilish and charming. Together they're a delightful duo. Also notable are the performances by the four boys, Jared Rushton, Jeffrey Wiseman, Brian Price, Jamie Wild (they steal the show), Edward Herrmann who plays an outstanding, snobbish Grant, and Roddy McDowall who, besides serving as Executive Producer, also gives a heart-warming performance as the under-appreciated butler, Andrew.

I give this movie four hearts. The romance is sweet, the laughs light, but plentiful--both could've been stepped up a bit. One of the best things about this movie is the character growth we see throughout. That, and the ending. (Arturo, not Mum, is the word ).

All in all, a good date flick. Girls will like Kurt's roguish grin. Guys will like Goldie's exposed backside. Everyone will laugh and enjoy the simple tale of love, amnesia, and second chances.

Best lines:
"The gnats keep landing on my wet nail polish. I guess I'm supposed to walk around