Deal of the Century
Deal of the Century
PG | 04 November 1983 (USA)
Deal of the Century Trailers

Arms dealers from several companies vie to sell the most expensive and highest tech weapons to a South American dictator. There are complications; understanding the exact nature of how 'gifts' are used to grease the wheels of a sale, a religious conversion from one of the salesman and a romance that begins to grow between two competitors.

Reviews
Lucien Lessard

Eddie Mintz (Chevy Chase) is a fast-talking arms dealer, who seals weapons to third world countries. When he meets an man (Wallace Shawn) is about to commit suicide. He tells Eddie, he can't finish his deal. He's a sales rep for the American defense contractor Lock-Up. This mysterious man has an contract that is worth $300 Million. When he commit suicide, Eddie takes his contract and he actually succeed making an deal. But the mysterious man widow (Sigourney Weaver) wants part of the money. Eddie and his soon to be born again Christian partner Ray (The late Gregory Hines) tries to make it an deal done with anyone, who is interested in the contract. Which Lock-Up are trying to sell an product titled "The Peacemaker UAV" that actually has problems of its own. When the deal is nearly done, Ray has second thoughts about the deal and nothing goes as planned.Directed by Oscar-Winner:William Friedkin (Bug, The Exorcist, To Live and Die in L.A.) made an watchable if sometimes amusing dark comedy. Chase gives 110 percent to his performance, he is entertaining to watch in the movie. The late Hines is actually pretty good in the movie as well. Perphas not the devilish satire that some people were expecting and also not as zestfulness as you liked it to be. But sometimes, the movie comes pretty close to be spot on.DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an good Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD only special features is the original theatrical trailer. "Deal of the Century" does have some good sequences, some laughs and some fine satire as well but the movie doesn't quite breakthrough. Perphas more of a curio today, it is one of the rarely seen movies from director Friedkin. It is certainly worth an look if you are an fan of Friedkin or actor:Chase. Written by Paul Brickman (Men Don't Leave, Risky Business, True Crime), who also one of the executive producers of the movie. (*** ½/*****).

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fedor8

This left-wing comedy is so very boring that it doesn't even have the strength to properly annoy me. Its support for Communist rebels and its disdain for Reagan and everything that he stood for is just so idiotic and trite. Weaver is her usual uncharismatic self, and Chase has never been this unfunny. But there's hardly anybody who'd have been funny with this script. It amazes me that someone actually went through the last draft of the script and actually thought "yeah, this one will be good; let's spend some millions and make a helluva picture!". If you are interested in reading my phony biographies of Weaver and other Hollywood morons, contact me by e-mail.

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crashchat

This is a must see for any Chevy Chase fan or anyone who has ever worked at a large defense subcontractor! Office Space for the defense industry. I've worked at big companies (both defense and commercial) and this movie portrays them quite accurately. Even though the inherent humor in the plot line is based on the defense industry, it is very accessible to those who know little about it. Chevy is at his finest as the movie plays his character's extreme comical greed (i.e. will sell any weapon to anyone for any reason) against Gregory Hines' burgeoning conscience about their chosen profession. I was initially shocked by the low average rating of this movie. After reading some of the other reviews about this movie I begin to understand. Because Chevy plays an humorously amoral individual rather than his usually lovably goofy, one I think many viewers were shocked. I didn't think that the humor in this film was subtle; but apparently for many, it was. This movie also makes a very strong moral point about the military industrial complex that should be taught (whether with this movie or not) to all people before they are allowed to vote.

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jrwilliams51

CHEVY CHASE, SIGOURNEY WEAVER,& GREGORY HINES stir up a real deal when they go after the arms race!Its all about money, and where the truth lies in a all out arms deal that does more damage to us than the enemy! The absolute beautiful Cathrine Devoto played by SIGOURNEY WEAVER is a total dream girl gun carrying, submissive female!This fun filled packed,and very sexy movie out sells them all,and is more deserving than a ten!

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