A twist on the reliable storyline of the snob who learns how the other half lives; the character is stuck up, arrogant and spoiled. Eventually, something happens that brings them down to reality. By the end of the film, the hero has discovered humility, gratitude and the true meaning of love. In the case of 1987’s Overboard, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn are the biggest reasons to watch this otherwise limp comedy.
Trapped in Elk Cove, Oregon while her yacht is docked for repairs, heiress Joanna Stayton (Goldie Hawn) hires strapping carpenter Dean Proffitt (Kurt Russell) to build a new closet for her vast shoe collection. Onboard, Dean gets a firsthand look at Joanna’s demanding, bullish behavior. Turning on him, Joanna refuses to pay Dean when she dislikes the type of wood he used. When Joanna is knocked off the boat late one night, she awakens in a local hospital, unable to recall the details of her life. Dean, sensing an opportunity to get what’s owed him, convinces Joanna that he’s her husband and his cluttered home with four young sons is her family. Unsure, but unable to protest, Joanna is introduced to the world of being a housewife, while Dean, working to keep the scam going, takes advantage of some professional opportunities.
Directed by Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride), and written by Leslie Dixon, Overboard focuses on Joanna’s attempts to deal with domestic issues in a household that is reminiscent of Green Acres. The Proffitt abode features car parts and debris all over the yard, a limping dog in a cast, and four unruly boys demolishing everything in sight. At one point, Joanna sighs… ”So, this is my life….I didn’t marry very well, did I?” But the film follows an established formula. Things begin with Dean and his playing mean tricks on her. Then there’s a scene where she begins to change just a little. There’s a scene where the boys get to like her. Then, she begins to feel like she’s part of the family; then a scene where her snotty husband turns up again. On it goes, until Dean and Joanna finally admit they’ve fallen in love.
Obviously, Hawn and Russell have chemistry, and that helps bring life to a long middle section that occasionally drags. That said, there’s something a bit unsettling about Russell’s Dean hoodwinking Hawn’s Joanna (whom he rechristens “Annie”) into thinking she’s his wife, as she’s already married to stuck up Edward Herrmann. Nonetheless, Joanna and Dean’s budding romance is handled tastefully throughout.
The four child actors are fun, as they’re given little more to do then cause a lot of mayhem. Roddy McDowall, also credited as Executive Producer, is given very little to do as Joanna’s loyal manservant—though I also find it a joy to see him—and Herrmann does his patrician shtick very well. Overboard isn’t a great comedy by any means, but fans of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell will undoubtedly enjoy it.
The 1080p Blu-ray is presented in the 1:85:1 aspect ratio. The image is rather soft throughout. While the color palette is muted, detail is okay considering the softness. Blacks are solid throughout the print. There is a lot of grain throughout the film and at times it’s quite heavy. While it looks like little or no remastering has been done to this title, this transfer is still better than any previous DVD releases.
The audio is presented in a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix. This works fine for a film like this that is dialogue heavy. We get crisp and clean sound through the center channel.
The only special feature is the Theatrical Trailer.
