Atkinson succeeds, but one only wishes the plot had more substance and was inherently more humorous to make the overall experience that much enjoyable.ĭon't get us wrong, there are many funny moments in the film. A simple, but certainly not hilarious plot is introduced (a simple, bumbling man is mistaken for an art critic) and the sketch's or film's success then rests squarely on the comedian's ability to create funny moments from that situation.
ROWAN ATKINSON MOVIE PAINTING TV
In essence, this plot is much like that found in many TV variety shows. However, the scenes when Atkinson isn't present are terribly boring and certainly not funny. Of course that's perfectly fine and many other movies have taken a similar tactic where they just let the comedic character go to town with a simple set-up. Unfortunately, Atkinson isn't given much of a plot with which to work (that's partly his fault since he co-wrote the screenplay), and most of the material is there just to set up Bean's reaction to the next plot element or location. Thus, he comes across as the exaggerated epitome of our own desire to be childlike, mixed with all of our everyday goofs, slip ups, and accidents. Thus, no matter what he does, or rarely says, he's always liked by the audience that is equally charmed by his innocent demeanor and his occasional childlike showing off. For by doing so, he creates a character who's so inside himself and oblivious to his behavioral repercussions, that he never comes across as aggressive or belligerent (as some of Carrey's creations have in the past). Of course this film breaks that tradition by having him deliver an awkwardly funny speech at the end, but for the most part he delivers just one or two croaky responses that make him only that much funnier.
The thing that sets him apart from most every other recent, and similar, comic characters is that Bean rarely speaks. While Carrey has perfected the over-the-top, in-your-face performance (think of his "Ace Ventura" movies), Atkinson's Bean character is more subdued, but still very funny. Much like that other man of many comic faces, Jim Carrey, Atkinson has perfected so many comic looks that just watching him is a pleasure in itself. Known better overseas than in the States (where he's been seen in a few HBO specials), this film introduces America to another rubbery faced comic whose mere appearance can induce gut wrenching laughter. Bean," this is actor Rowan Atkinson's (the priest in "Four Weddings & A Funeral") first appearance on the big screen as the bumbling, but good-hearted character. OUR TAKE: 7 out of 10 Based on the long running British TV comedy "Mr. PETER MacNICOL plays the museum's curator who slowly finds his world unraveling due to Bean's behavior.His many odd - and often funny - mannerisms may invoke imitative behavior in some kids. ROWAN ATKINSON plays a bumbling man who innocently creates havoc wherever he goes.WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For moments of risque humor. However, Bean certainly isn't as well known in America as he is elsewhere around the world, and thus there may be a limited appeal. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're familiar with Rowan Atkinson's character (perhaps from HBO), or have seen commercials for this movie, they might. Soon Bean's innocent, bumbling ways threaten not only the Langley's marriage, but also the famous painting. They assume Bean's just eccentric, and David, who's already invited Bean to stay with him, brings the man home much to the dismay of wife Alison (PAMELA REED), daughter Jennifer (TRICIA VESSEY) and son Kevin (ANDY LAWRENCE). Thus, the board sends him on a sabbatical to a Los Angeles art gallery that has requested a "great scholar" to talk about their latest acquisition, "Whistler's Mother." It seems a right-wing military man, General Newton (BURT REYNOLDS) has donated money for the famous painting, and the gallery's director, George Grierson (HARRIS YULIN) and his curator, David Langley (PETER MacNICOL), are both surprised at the scholar's appearance and demeanor when he arrives for their grand revealing ceremonies. The board of directors wants to fire him because all he does is sleep when he's not just staring at the artwork, but the board's chairman refuses to let them do that. Bean (ROWAN ATKINSON) is a mostly silent, but continually bumbling employee at a London art museum. QUICK TAKE: Comedy: A bumbling, walking disaster of a man is mistaken by an American art gallery as a British art scholar. (1997) (Rowan Atkinson, Peter MacNicol) (PG-13)
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