"The Trouble With Hairy"
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Watch:
What You Need To Know:
The storyline is endearing enough to capture some younger audiences; however, those seeking intellectual stimulation in their entertainment for the evening, should keep looking. It is unfortunate that screenwriter-director, Caroline Thompson seems unable to match the cuddliness of the animals with the potential charm of this amazing true story. More character development is given to the chimps and to Buddy than to the people of the story. Also, the movie unnecessarily includes 1 profanity, 1 obscenity and alcohol consumption creating a PG rating.
Content:
(B, E, L, A) Moral worldview of taking care of animals skewed by some environmentalism; 1 obscenity & 1 profanity; and, alcohol use
More Detail:
BUDDY is the true story of the animal-loving eccentric Gertrude “Trudy” Davis-Lintz. Played adeptly by Rene Russo, she is consumed with caring for a host of animal inhabitants on her Brooklyn estate during the roaring 20’s. Her amiable and compliant husband, Dr. Lintz (Robbie Coltrane ), stands in the background condoning and funding the menagerie of fur. When presented with a sickly infant gorilla whose mother has been mysteriously killed, Trudy decides to come to the rescue. She names the gorilla, Buddah , or Buddy for short.
She all but completely disregards the not so well-meaning intentions and advice of animal “experts” on the gorilla species. Trudy decides to care for the gorilla and raise it just as she has done with her half a dozen chimps, just like any human child. Nursing the young “Buddy” day and night, the miraculous occurs, and Buddy wakes up, coming to life and initiating a stranger than fiction drama.
She semi-successfully trains Buddy in the art of serving hors d’oeuvres. He cleans; he mops; he dances; he cooks; and, he dresses in a three piece suit. He doesn’t do windows, but in this parade of behaviors, it is difficult to stick to the true story of Buddy’s exploits.
Although he is a 300+ pound bundle of love, Buddy manages to touch only the youngest hearts with laughter and a few tears. Those seeking intellectual stimulation should keep looking. It is unfortunate that screenwriter-director, Caroline Thompson seems unable to match the cuddliness with the potential charm of this amazing true story.
More character development is given to the chimps and to Buddy than to the people of the story, leaving the audience slightly confused s to the purpose behind the whole show. Is about Buddy or Trudy? The film raises many more questions than it answers and frustrates a willing audience looking for a night of family fun. It unnecessarily includes 1 profanity, 1 obscenity and alcohol consumption creating a PG-rating. The supporting cast seems present only to differentiate scene changes, which is sad considering the potential talent among the bit players including the one-time Pee Wee Herman, Paul Reubens.
Rene Russo’s performance is vibrant and admirable, given the lackluster script. Hers is the only remarkable offering of the film, apart from the talented Jim Henson animation and the talents of the innumerable monkey trainers.
