Seems Like Old Times on DVD

Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase Star in Outrageous Romantic Comedy

Jul 22, 2008

Even without special bonus features, this DVD is well worth watching for its terrific screenplay written by Neil Simon and terrific performances by Hawn and Chase.

In their second pairing as a romantic comedy team after the successful 1978 film Foul Play about a woman who unwittingly becomes involved in an assassination plot, Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase turn the comedy up a couple of notches for the hilarious 1980 hit Seems Like Old Times (DVD release 2002).

Chevy Chase as a Desperate Writer

Accompanied by the music of Marvin Hamlisch and the symphony of about a dozen barking dogs, this screwball comedy follows writer Nick Gardenia (Chase), who gets kidnapped at gunpoint and forced to rob a bank. Without friends or resources, Nick desperately seeks help from his ex-wife Glenda (Hawn), a liberal public defender now comfortably married to Ira Parks (Charles Grodin in a thankless role), a boring and ill-tempered prosecuting attorney.

Ira’s new promotion to attorney general of the state of California means that he and Glenda host fancy dinner parties for VIPs, including the governor. These events lose all sense of decorum, however, when charming king-of-the-one-liners Nick unexpectedly crashes the party, Glenda’s menagerie of stray animals gets loose, and semi-reformed criminals take on the role of servers at the dinner.

Goldie Hawn as a Defender of the Guilty

Glenda has a mixed reaction to her ex-husband’s arrival. Juggling her own career, her husband’s new position, and a huge house full of rambunctious dogs, she nonetheless finds the appearance of Nick to be a stimulating diversion that awakens long dormant “quivers and shivers” in her, beyond Ira’s capabilities. Not surprisingly, Ira becomes even more ill tempered when he discovers Nick’s presence in his house.

Many scenes produce big laughs, such as Glenda’s antics while sneaking Nick around her home from one hiding place to another. His penchant for hiding under beds becomes particularly troublesome. From Glenda’s irresponsible hired-help to the playful antics of her ex to the ridiculous courtroom shenanigans between the married opposing attorneys, Seems Like Old Times is packed full of fun. Supporting characters played by Robert Guillaume and Harold Gould add to the crazy antics.

This film works on many different levels. All the elements combine well, particularly Simon’s clever screenplay and the chemistry between Hawn and Chase. Her lovable goofiness and his wisecracking deadpan play off each other, making the scenes memorable and their romance believable. Reminiscent of the old screwball comedies from previous generations, Seems Like Old Times does indeed seem like old times for Nick and Glenda, and for audience members who can remember and appreciate old-time romantic comedies.

The copyright of the article Seems Like Old Times on DVD in Romantic Comedy Films is owned by Leslie C. Halpern. Permission to republish Seems Like Old Times on DVD in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.