Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)
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84% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
48% of users liked it
(15,659 ratings)
Down and Out in Beverly Hills is an updated remake of the 1932 Jean Renoir film Boudu Saved From Drowning. Philandering businessman Dave Whiteman (Richard Dreyfuss) rescues scraggly tramp Jerry Baskin (Nick Nolte) from drowning himself in Dave's swimming pool. Much against his will, Jerry is… More Down and Out in Beverly Hills is an updated remake of the 1932 Jean Renoir film Boudu Saved From Drowning. Philandering businessman Dave Whiteman (Richard Dreyfuss) rescues scraggly tramp Jerry Baskin (Nick Nolte) from drowning himself in Dave's swimming pool. Much against his will, Jerry is invited to enjoy the hospitality of Dave, his social-climbing wife, Barbara (Bette Midler), and their sexually ambivalent son, Max (Evan Richards). The hapless hobo bonds only with the family dog, Matisse, which fascinates Barbara to the point that she's willing to share her bed (and a few other things) with him. Dave is twice cuckolded when Jerry makes out with the maid (Elizabeth Peņa), with whom he has been carrying on a torrid -- and noisy -- affair. He plans to wreak revenge on the tramp, but several plot twists result in Dave and Jerry becoming bosom companions. Little Richard appears as the family's easily irritated next-door neighbor. Down and Out in Beverly Hills was the R-rated film that compelled Disney to create its adult-oriented Touchstone Films division. The property was later cleaned up for TV consumption and converted into a short-lived Fox-network sitcom. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Paul Mazursky
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jan 31, 1986 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 13, 2002
Critic Reviews
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Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
On the basically farcical level where it chooses to stay, it is a funny and likable movie.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Although it is more of a comedy of manners than a well-developed story, there are enough yocks and bright moments to make it a thoroughly enjoyable outing.
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, Time Out
This update of Renoir's Boudu Saved from Drowning starts life as a satire on the tribal rites of the new and filthy rich, but goes badly wrong somewhere down the line.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
As a comedy of manners it has a dependably keen aim, with its most wicked barbs leavened by Mr. Mazursky's obvious fondness for his characters.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Let me just say that Down and Out in Beverly Hills made me laugh longer and louder than any film I've seen in a long time.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Nick Nolte
as Jerry Baskin
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Richard Dreyfuss
as Dave Whiteman
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Bette Midler
as Barbara Whiteman
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Little Richard
as Orvis Goodnight
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Tracy Nelson
as Jenny Whiteman
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Elizabeth Peņa
as Carmen
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Evan Richards
as Max Whiteman
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Donald F. Muhich
as Dr. Von Zimmer
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Paul Mazursky
as Sidney Waxman
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Valerie Curtin
as Pearl Waxman
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Alexis Arquette
as Band Member
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Michael Blue
as Cop
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Jack Bruskoff
as Mel Whiteman
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Eloy Casados
as Tom Tom
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Eugene Choy
as Chinese Delegation
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Bill Cross
as Helicopter Pilot
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Neil Cunningham
as Security Guard
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Geraldine Dreyfuss
as Sadie Whiteman
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Salvador R. Espinoza
as Caterer's Assistant
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Michael Greene
as Ed
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Darryl Henriques
as Geraldo
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Lew Hopson
as Paramedic
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Sandy Ignon
as Barry
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Sue Kiel
as Roxanne
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Ken Koch
as Patrick
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Allan Malamud
as Caterer
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Betsy Mazursky
as Stylish Jogger
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Mike the Dog
as Matisse
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Felton Perry
as Al
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Andre Philippe
as Party Guest
- Bill Primus
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Nick Ullett
as Nigel
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Michael Yama
as Nagamichi
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Barry Primus
as Lou Waltzberg
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Dorothy Tristan
as Dorothy
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Irene Tsu
as Shiela Waltzberg
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Jason Williams
as Lance
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Donald V. Allen
as Security Guard
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Carolyn Allport
as Girl Feeding Kerouac
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Ranbir Bahi
as Ranbir
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Reza Bashar
as Iranian Neighbor
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Carlton Cuse
as Water Man
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Bobby Good
as Security Alarm Dispatcher
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Dr. Toni Grant
as Herself
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Pearl Huang
as Translator
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Mae Koh-Ruden
as Chinese Delegation
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Joseph Makkar
as Iranian Boy
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Margrit Ramme
as Sandra Goodnight
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George Sasaki
as Chinese Delegation
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Yung Sun
as Minister Chan
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Michel Voletti
as Maurice
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Leland Sun
as Chinese Delegation
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Raymond Lee
as Yamato
