The Best of Times (1986)
-
33% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
40% of users liked it
(6,325 ratings)
Small-town banker Robin Williams has never been able to live down the fact that he dropped an important pass during a crucial high-school football game. Likewise tainted for life is the team's star quarterback Kurt Russell, now a garage owner. Fed up with living his life under a cloud, Williams… More Small-town banker Robin Williams has never been able to live down the fact that he dropped an important pass during a crucial high-school football game. Likewise tainted for life is the team's star quarterback Kurt Russell, now a garage owner. Fed up with living his life under a cloud, Williams hits upon a brilliant idea: he will stage a rematch-13 years after the fact--with the members of the rival team. Trouble beckons when Williams' father-in-law announces that he's rooting for the opposition. Williams is determined to win, and in pursuit of that goal he pushes his former teammates to hitherto untapped brilliance. Directed by Roger Spottiswood, The Best of Times was written by Ron Shelton, future writer/director of such delightful sports films as Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump and Tin Cup; it was Shelton, in fact, who directed most of Best of Times' climactic football game. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Roger Spottiswoode
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jan 31, 1986 Wide
- Studio
- Sultan Entertainment
Critic Reviews
-
Walter Goodman, New York Times
Such a rouser that it almost makes up for the incomplete passes and stopped runs that precede it.
-
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Nostalgic fantasy about replaying that high school game with all the jock pals.
-
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Speaks to our fantasies of rectifying mistakes of the past but drops the ball on a satire on small town foibles and marital discord.
-
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Forgotten by most yet seemingly adored by those who choose to remember it, The Best of Times stands in my book as one of the truly great sports comedies.
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)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Robin Williams
as Jack Dundee
-
Kurt Russell
as Reno Hightower
-
Pamela Reed
as Gigi Hightower
-
Holly Palance
as Elly Dundee
-
Donald Moffat
as The Colonel
-
Margaret Whitton
as Darla
-
M. Emmet Walsh
as Charlie
-
Donovan Scott
as Eddie
-
R.G. Armstrong
as Schutte
-
Carl Ballantine
as Arturo
- Dog: Buck
-
J.P. Bumstead
as Cop
-
Kirk Cameron
as Teddy
-
Eloy Casados
as Carlos
-
Christopher Cory
as Assistant Football Trainer
-
Jake Dengel
as Caribous
-
Robert Dickman
as Taft Business Man
-
Jeff Doucette
as Olin
- Kurt Fox
-
Kathleen Freeman
as Rosie
-
Hugh Gillin
as Caribou #2
-
Anne Haney
as Marcy
-
Linda Hart
as Blender
-
Hap Lawrence
as Dickie Larue
-
Robyn Lively
as Jaki
-
Wayne Montanio
as Felipe
-
Tony Plana
as Chico
- Adam Rose
-
William G. Schilling
as Caribou #1
-
Jeff Severson
as Johnny O
-
Nick Shields
as Bam Bam
-
Hugo L. Stanger
as Old Man Lester
-
Dub Taylor
as Mac
-
Peter Van Norden
as Mando
-
Philippe Gerard
as Disgruntled Fan
-
Wayne Adderson
as Bakersfield Coach
-
Patrick Brennan
as Ronny
-
Marie Cain
as Blender
-
Raymond W. Clanto
as Bakersfield Coach
-
Cathy Cheryl Davis
as Taft Woman
-
Hilary Davis
as Michelle
- Mike Douglas
- Herman Edwards
-
Jim Giovanni
as Taft Football Player
-
Michelle Guastello
as Taft Woman
-
Vister Hayes
as Dr. Death
-
Brenda Huggins
as Mrs. Jackson
-
Christopher Mankiewicz
as Safari Room Security Guard
-
Peggy Moyer
as Blender
-
Fred A. Nelson
as Bakersfield Coach
-
Bill Overton
as Luther Jackson
-
Chuck Ramsey
as Himself
- Steve Riley
- Kim Romano
-
Norm Schachter
as Referee
-
Steve Shargo
as Taft Football Player
-
Susan Signorelli
as Taft Woman
-
Darryl B. Smith
as Bakersfield Coach
- Kelly Thomas
-
Iron Jaw Wilson
as "Iron Jaws"
-
Michael Rich
as Blade
