1988, the year Loose Cannons was made, is held by many to be that decade's best year for comedies. To name a few: The Naked Gun, A Fish Called Wanda, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Big, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Beetlejuice. It's no wonder Loose Cannons wasn't released until 1990 just because of the competition - though in any year, it's hard to envision it having a chance at success.
Perhaps part of the problem was the screenwriting by the Mathesons. Both capable of great writing, but really not known for comedy. Then there's the matter of Ackroyd's character. A genius detective with a crippling fear of violence and multiple personality disorder isn't necessarily a terrible idea (though an idea with a high risk for being terrible). However, when the "personalities" are expressed just as very brief mimicry of TV and movie characters, it makes him seem more like an impressionist most of the time than someone with a psychiatric disorder. At one point, Ackroyd's character runs through many voices in no time at all (including multiple SNL characters like the "Mr. Bill" narrator, and the Church Lady), serving no purpose whatsoever.
I found the movie at a dollar store included on a double feature DVD, so it only cost me about fifty cents. I feel sorry for those who paid full matinee price back in 1990! People would be better off spending their time on rewatching better films by the leads.
Perhaps part of the problem was the screenwriting by the Mathesons. Both capable of great writing, but really not known for comedy. Then there's the matter of Ackroyd's character. A genius detective with a crippling fear of violence and multiple personality disorder isn't necessarily a terrible idea (though an idea with a high risk for being terrible). However, when the "personalities" are expressed just as very brief mimicry of TV and movie characters, it makes him seem more like an impressionist most of the time than someone with a psychiatric disorder. At one point, Ackroyd's character runs through many voices in no time at all (including multiple SNL characters like the "Mr. Bill" narrator, and the Church Lady), serving no purpose whatsoever.
I found the movie at a dollar store included on a double feature DVD, so it only cost me about fifty cents. I feel sorry for those who paid full matinee price back in 1990! People would be better off spending their time on rewatching better films by the leads.