Born Yesterday (1993)
A rich millionaire hires a sophisticated journalist to bring his somewhat dim-witted girlfriend up to the level of his peers. He fears that the showgirl's lack of etiquette may damage his own social reputation and tries to change her — but fails to realise that her enhanced eloquence will empower her to voice her own strong opinions.
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The rude, selfish and arrogant businessman Harry Brock (John Goodman) travels to Washington with his mistress Billie Dawn (Melanie Griffith), his adviser Ed Devery (Edward Herrmann) and his assistant JJ (Max Perlich) to have business meetings with senators. Billie is a former showgirl from Las Vegas and does not have culture, embarrassing Harry in the social events. He hires the journalist Paul Verrall (Don Johnson) to teach Billie that is an intelligent woman and soon she does not accept the treatment spent by Harry toward her. Further, Billie and Paul disclose dirty businesses of Harry and fall in love with each other. "Born Yesterday" is a remake of the 1950 film with a storyline inspired in "Pygmalion" (1938) and "Educating Rita" (1983). The romance is entertaining and funny and the gorgeous Melanie Griffith shows a great chemistry with her husband Don Johnson. John Goodman completes the cast with great performance. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "O Renascer de Uma Mulher" ("The Rebirth of a Woman")
It is a brave move to remake such a classic George Cukor comedy film, and this was a challenge to see if the makers could create the near same enjoyment that I remember from the original. It follows the same premise, Billie Dawn (Melanie Griffith) is the girlfriend of construction planner and corrupt crook Harry Brock (John Goodman), and she is not all that intelligent about certain things, and is causing embarrassment. So Harry pays $5000 to Paul Verrall (Don Johnson) for him to teach Billie things she should know to make her look more acceptable and intelligent. As she learns more and more, Billie doesn't seem to be so thick after all, and it is obvious the teaching from Paul is turning into something more passionate. Billie is soon intelligent to know that Harry is bribing senators, and making her sign documents that make her owner of his illegal matters, and she plucks up the courage to refuse. In the end, Billie hands in the incriminating evidence to Paul to give to the press to finish Harry, and she says she will only give back small portions of his empire back as long as he leaves them alone. Also starring Ri¢hie Ri¢h's Edward Herrmann as Ed Devery, Max Perlich as JJ, Michael Ensign as Phillipe, Benjamin C. Bradlee as Sect. of the Navy Alex Duffee, Sally Quinn as Beatrice Duffee, William Frankfather as Sen. Kelley, Fred Dalton Thompson as Sen. Hedges and William Forward as Sen. Duker. Griffith is quite likable as the ditsy-turned-smarter bimbo, but she doesn't have lacks the comic timing of Oscar-winning Judy Holliday, in fact, she was nominated a Razzie? However, Goodman is a great and nasty as Broderick Crawford was, and the highlight for me was the 27 Constitutional Amendments song, to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas, a pretty good comedy remake. Worth watching!
Putrid remake of the classic play and film about a scrap metal tycoon (a non stop shouting Goodman) turned real estate mogul who pays a Washington newsman (Johnson) to educate his feisty girlfriend (wretched Griffith). This film proves that some treasures should be kept buried and left alone.
Judy Holliday won a well-deserved Oscar in 1950 for "Born Yesterday," which was directed by George Cukor. The cast also included Broderick Crawford (fresh from his Oscar-Triumph; All The King's Men) and William Holden. One of the great political satires of all time, "Born Yesterday" still remains a classic in every sense of the word. Then comes this.....a remake with Melanie Griffith in the title role. The only thing I can say is that they're (the producers) are lucky they can't be charged with capitol punishment! This film is a total disaster....A FLOP!