Okay. We’re hooked. Morgan Freeman. Tommy Lee Jones. Rene Russo. Oh, yes…there’s Ron Shelton, too. Though we haven’t seen much from director Shelton for a while, he is back, and his new action comedy already has a lot going for it. It’s scheduled to open on December 8th.
Three Hollywood forces combine for success potential in Shelton’s newest romp, and we’re not only talking about the three main characters. First, there’s Shelton’s previous comedy successes. He made a name for himself with White Men Can’t Jump, Cobb, Tin Cup, and Bull Durham. He knows his stars, as Rene Russo starred in Tin Cup, Tommy Lee Jones starred in Cobb, and Morgan Freeman has a stellar and extensive filmography. Shelton’s previous work with Jones and Russo allows them all to contribute their best creative energies.
Second, is that Shelton has started out with box office creds from the start, and that includes the entire cast, which includes a long list of favorites. There’s comedian George Wallis playing Larry, who has extensive experience as a standup comic and several film roles. Graham Beckel playing Burt, is best known for his roles in The Paper Chase and L.A. Confidential. Jamaican-born Mel Raido plays Oscar, and has performed in London theatre productions and numerous feature films. Character actor Joe Pantoliano is well known as Cypher from The Matrix and roles in The Goonies, The Fugitive and The Sopranos, to name a few. Actress Elizabeth Ashley plays Lily, and appeared 24 times with Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show.
Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, who plays Margarite, is known best for her roles in Dreamgirls and Wicked, the hit Broadway musicals and sitcoms Moesha, It’s a Living, and Instant Mom. Kristen Rakes of American Horror Story fame, and actor Nick Peine, known for The Circle, Office Christmas Party, and Duty, round out the cast. Actress Glenne Headly, known for Mr. Holland’s Opus, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Dick Tracy, died during June 2017, from a pulmonary embolism. Just Getting Started is her final feature film role.
Third, there is Morgan Freeman. Freeman is a huge factor. Not to diminish the contributions of the other players, but the timing of the film’s release related to Freeman’s personal career couldn’t be better. He’s just been named to become the 54th recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement award. The award will be presented on January 21, 2018. Freeman will be honored at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium. Freeman has created numerous characters throughout his lifetime as an actor. He has taken on a wide range of roles and brought a distinctive genius to each one. He has created unique interpretations in almost 100 films, serving as host for several National Geographic series, narrated award-winning documentaries, and been an activist for promising new actors and playwrights. For many, Freeman included in the credits means a must-watch film.
Freeman is almost guaranteed to work his magic once more in this comedy. He plays Duke Diver, who lives in Villa Capri, a resort community in luxurious Palm Springs. Diver is known by all the residents for his skills as the resort’s manager. He keeps things lively at Villa Capri, as he makes time with the ladies, and competes in friendly competitions with the gents. When Tommy Lee Jones’ character, Leo, arrives, the ladies have something new that is easy on the eyes. Leo is a military veteran with plenty of worldly living in his past. Duke and Leo compete at every game the resort offers, and for the ladies, too. That includes Suzie, who’s just arrived at the resort.
She’s played by Rene Russo. But, there’s more. Turns out that Diver has a secret, and it’s big. He’s in witness protection, but his local fame has brought him into the spotlight, and now his role as star witness against the mob has brought trouble to the resort. Factor in a golf cart explosion, a wayward camel, a Santa attack, and wacky romances. Will Diver keep the party going at the resort? Will Leo become the new Alpha male? Who will win Suzie? Will Leo keep Diver alive? We’ll just have to wait for now.
