“Opportunity Knocks” was one of my favorite movies growing up, becoming a staple of my movie rewatching youth and many, many lines quoted throughout my teenage years. The 1990 picture is an unheralded comedic gem that stars then uber-popular SNL impressionist, Dana Carvey.
The film has an enjoyable charm, and while the supporting cast is very good – including big names like Robert Loggia and Todd Graff – the entire catalyst revolves around the stage presence and shenanigans of Carvey, who is the central point of every scene in the movie.
1990 fuses together the two best decades of all time, and “Opportunity Knocks” includes everything that makes us junkies of the past swoon. Cordless telephones, answering machines, giant box tube TV sets, vivacious fashion. All present and accounted for. There’s even the yuppie presence of country clubs and exotic cars to help flush out the tale, as we follow a petty street hustler named Eddie Farrell (Carvey) who inadvertently lands himself amidst the financial scheme of a lifetime while schmoozing a young woman (Julia Campbell) and fleeing from a ruthless crime lord amidst the vast and limitless cityscape of Chicago.
The soundtrack sets the stage from the opening hustle. Upbeat sounds of Yello and Johnny Clegg reinforce the 1990 timeframe as well as the lighthearted antics of the plot. There’s the simple humor of a low end criminal like Eddie – who chastises his partner (Graff) that they are not con men but con artists, attempting to mesh with high society. Carvey portrays a handful of his famous SNL voices, with the most memorable being a great scene in which he perfectly mimics then President George H.W. Bush. Its simple jokes that work at being humorous while never once attempting to take themselves too seriously.
It’s a fast paced movie, and there are a few scenes that, while intended to showcase Carvey’s voice talents, do little in the way of advancing the story. It’s less like they had a script and chose to cast Carvey, but rather had Carvey and decided to write a script around him. Veteran character actors like Milo O’Shea and James Tolken are a nice addition to the mix. While Carvey is the star, every character delivers there own hysterical lines.
“Opportunity Knocks” was a failure at the box office. It boasts a woeful score on that lesser site (Spoiled Fruit or something) but don’t let that fool you. It’s a fun time that can make you nostalgic for the era it comes from and be a perfect sick day movie with a warm hearted vibe and plenty of replay value.
