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TAPEHEADS

Best friends Ivan (John Cusack, HOT PURSUIT) and Josh (Tim Robbins, HOWARD THE DUCK) may have been voted most likely to succeed in high school, but in the real world they've done nothing but flounder. Stuck in a dead-end job as night watchmen, the two manage to get fired after Ivan throws a no-holds-barred party at their place of employment. Stuck with no jobs and no prospects, Ivan decides that it's time for the two of them to start their own video production company, Video Aces. The reluctant Josh finally consents and they set up shop at Josh's parents' house, where they're promptly kicked out. Forced to find new lodging, they stumble across the warehouse home of Belinda (Katy Boyer, THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK) who sets them up for free.

With their studio in place they go to work, mostly filming weddings and funerals until Ivan's persistence lands them a job making videos for Mo Fuzz (Don Cornelius, SOUL TRAIN), a shady record label owner who has the boys do all their work on spec (a.k.a. free). Once this venue proves to be a bust the boys are back to the bread and butter jobs until they meet Samantha Gregory (Mary Crosby, THE ICE PIRATES), a rock journalist who hooks them up with a video gig for the band the Blender Children. Naturally they screw this gig up and it looks like nothing but filming family reunions and parties from now on. That is, until the Blender Children die when a satellite falls out of the sky and right onto them during a concert. The demand for the final video, a true fiasco, puts Video Aces in the spotlight, but unless a miracle happens this will be the final nail in the coffin of their aspirations.

Bill Fishman manages to keep the energy level high and the jokes fast and furious. While at times things reach a surreal level, the comedy never feels strained. The maniacal style is heightened by the performances, many of which are the best some of the actors have ever delivered. Don Cornelius as Mo Fuzz delivers a tight comic performance as that shady businessman that makes one wonder why he's not featured in more films. Clu Gulager (RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD), Bob Goldthwait (BURGLER), Jello Biafra (singer for the Dead Kennedys), Sam Moore (singer from Sam and Dave), Junior Walker and King Cotton are all at the top of their game even if a few of them are not "actors" per se.

Speaking of Sam Moore and Junior Walker, the two of them are featured as the film's fictional band The Swanky Modes the idols of Ivan and Josh. These two non-actors not only deliver in convincing the viewer that they've been working together for years, but as a musical act they perform some truly show stopping numbers instead of, say, making Josh and Ivan look like a couple of sucks for liking them.

Yet, all the great side performances wouldn't amount to nil if it wasn't for the excellent job by leads John Cusack and Tim Robbins. As the idiot savant Josh, Robbins plays this self-defeating character with enough punch that when he makes his inevitable transformation into a focused, daring individual, one is not left wondering where this "new" Josh came from. However, as good as Robbins is and he's good - the show belongs to Cusack. As Ivan the lazy, naïve, cowardly but fiercely ambitious member of the duo, he plays the role with such abandon that this may be his finest hour. There is something about a sleaze that brings out the best in this beloved actor, and he chews the scenery the way a school of piranha nosh a cow.

For those who belong to the cult of Zander Zander Schloss (REPO MAN) that is there is much rejoicing to be had as this ex-Circle Jerks member delivers one of the film's greatest cameos as "Heavy Metal Fan." His use of the word "awesome" alone should have Sean Penn taking notes.

The script by Bill Fishman and Peter McCarthy based on a story by Fishman, McCarthy, Jim Herzfel and Ryan Rowe is filled with little jabs at '80s culture, taking on topics such as materialism, vapid video DJs, music industry corruption and republicans.

The DVD has been released by Anchor Bay which has kept the perks to a minimum - a real shame considering the entertainment value of this film, but expected considering the limited popularity.

The film is released in its widescreen presentation (1:85:1) - though I seem to recall that on video it was released full aperture, meaning more information on the top and bottom and no loss of the main picture - and is anamorphic. The picture quality is very good with a decent transfer to boot. The audio is in Dolby Surround 5.1 and really kicks out that Swanky Modes sound.

The first pressing of this title included a special bonus CD featuring the song "Ordinary Man" as performed by the Swanky Modes. It's a nice touch, but the full soundtrack would have been nicer since it is out of print and features some fine tunes.

An excellent audio commentary with director Fishman, executive producer Mike Nesmith (yes, the Monkee) and production designer Catherine Hardwicke gives viewers the skinny on the making of TAPEHEADS. The three have a good rapport and rarely are at a loss for words, only stopping occasionally to allow a particularly choice bit of movie dialogue to play through. One of the biggest revelations is that this 93-minute movie had a four-hour work print with many, many subplots having to be shaved. While the regular version is great, it would have been nice if Anchor Bay could have included at least a few outtakes - at least the ones that made it into the television print.

Though it's been chalked up in most circles as a curio in the careers of John Cusack, Tim Robbins and Courtney Love (she has a brief cameo as the girl spanking Clu Gulagar), TAPEHEADS is finally getting some of its due. Author David N. Meyer included it in his list book THE 100 BEST FILMS TO RENT YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF and this DVD should introduce it to a new audience who want more from the actor they loved so much in AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS. Rent on site.