I actually saw this movie when it first hit the theaters. It had kind of an odd affect on me, I was not sure if I had just wasted my money or did I really like this movie. So in order to settle this personal dilemma I saw it again. Never a doubt…I really like this movie. I liked it so much I purchased my own copy and actually watch it once in a while. Digesting this flick one has to appreciate Chris Elliot's mastery of humor and his solid grasp on the bazaar. I wish he would do more movies I enjoy his sense of humor. Not being bombarded with CGI was great. Now I am not completely knocking CGI. Lots of that stuff is very important when a movie sucks or is grossly lacking in other areas. This movie played well. It's probably too politically incorrect for present times – but not to worry – I was not offended. And for me…that is all that matters. This was such a good movie I actually wanted to sign on as part of the crew of 'The Filthy Whore' and munch on fish stick kitties.

Proudly wearing his "Fancy Lad" description, over-cultured and prissy prep school graduate Chris Elliott (as Nathanial Mayweather) goes to board a ship bound for Hawaii. He expects to join his wealthy father, but mistakenly gets on "The Filthy Whore" and is unable to get the crew of four salty and soused fishermen to change direction. After becoming a replacement for dim-witted "Cabin Boy" Andy Richter (as Kenny), Mr. Elliott befriends shapely swimmer Melora Walters (as Trina) and shark-man Russ Tamblyn (as Chocki). David Letterman has an amusing cameo during the early running, before this comic ship sinks. Too bad for Mr. Elliott, who once had a good persona going with his "Get a Life" TV series.*** Cabin Boy (1/7/94) Adam Resnick ~ Chris Elliott, Melora Walters, Russ Tamblyn, Ritch Brinkley

Like his character Nathanial Mayweather, Chris Elliott was born to a very talented father (Bob Elliott) and into a lucrative family business (showbiz). Also like Nathanial, the elder's talent casts an especially harsh light on the younger's near complete lack thereof. Chris takes us as Nathanial on a metaphorical journey starting from privileged upbringing complete with shots at televisions shows, both his own and David Letterman's, based on the respect others have for his father. And like Nathanial eventually that life of ease ebbs away as Chris/Nathanial have to make it on their own talents either making a comedy or surviving on a ship called "The Filthy Whore." Neither fares well and Elliott deserves credit for taking an unflinching look at his situation and filming what he see even if only in metaphor. Like his career, little about the movie works. As a character, Nathanial grates and a lack of more attractive protagonists means little that happens provokes any empathy from the audience - The Filthy Whore could have pulled "A Perfect Storm" sinking about the 35 minute mark and no tears would have been shed. As a story, Nathanial's being thrown out of an anachronistically modern limousine only to mistake The Filthy Whore for his father's "Queen Anne" yacht works less well than your average "Two Close for Comfort" episode setup. As a comedy, even Letterman himself finds himself in a disjointed, seemingly improvised, unfunny exchange with his one-time television foil. In short, while a small, vociferous group of Elliott fans consider this a cult classic, it is only their hero-worship that makes it watchable.

Back in 1994, Chris Elliot was one of the many SNL stars who was known for his cheeky comedy sketches alongside the many stars of the SNL over the years for about 3-4 years afterwards. This tale was trying to be Chris Elliot's "Deuce Bigalow" or "Wayne's World," but Elliot never really had any great reoccurring characters in SNL.The tale is of Elliot's character, Nathanial Mayweather, who completes his education as a sass-mouthed, fancy boy only to find that he is stranded in the real world outside of the upper-class. He seeks a trip to Hawaii after getting kicked out of his ride home (for sass-mouthing the driver). The only transportation around in a fisherman's boar that has 4 drunken sailors onboard who try to treat him horribly so that they can fish in peace. Hijinx ensue, though, after he rescues a world record-hopeful swimmer who doesn't want to be saved, and a bunch of weird "monsters" on the "Hawaii" island. He learns that life with friends is better than someone-else's dreams for him, and returns to the crew of fishermen and the girl.So that's it...you now know what happens. No need to rent it. I got a little bored of the characters and their joking around. There were no real characters to get attached to...that was the main problem. There were occasionally funny lines in the movie (The pipes...are clean! and David Letterman's "Do you wanna buy a monkey, little girl?") and, more importantly, the movie was co-produced by Tim Burton, who does amazing touches with animation and realism of outside characters (the siren on the front of the boat, the clouds in the storm, the quirky fish title sequence, the little characters mixed with the real-sized ones). That and the cameos by well-known talk show comedians David Letterman and Andy Richter have their own appeal to watch this film.Ultimately, I gave the movie a 5, though, because it wasn't an important film for comedy's sake, just different. Another story to throw along with the Austin Powers collection and Deuce Bigalows. Check it out to find your own funny stuff in the film, though. It has its moments.