Burt Reynolds & Goldie Hawn in Best Friends (1982)

Obscurity factor: 5

This is one of my favorite early 80's comedy films. Screen writers Richard Babson (Reynolds) and Paula McCullen (Hawn) live together, work together and love each other, so when they decide to get married after many years it should just be a rubber stamp for their relationship. But it's funny, how a little word can change everything. After their civil ceremony they board a train headed back east for a honeymoon trip to visit their families (Perhaps their first mistake?). Paula has commitment issues, feeling like marriage is one step toward death and she doesn't want to get caught in the trap of the traditional role of wife. Visiting the traditional suburban homes of their youth just ads fuel to the fire of her discontent, with hilariously touching results.

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This bitter-sweet romance directed by Norman Jewison is a beautiful character study of modern partners with charming performances by the two stars. Burt Reynolds is deft with the comedy, lightening heartfelt scenes with his charm. The pace is leisurely and comfortable and the beautiful score by Michel LeGrand with two touching songs sung by James Ingram and Patti Austin, produced by Quincy Jones strikes just the right note. Look for great turns by Jessica Tandy, Barnard Hughes, Audra Lindly and Keenan Wynn as the in-laws, Ron Silver as their boss at the studio and Richard Libertini as the wacky officiate at their wedding.

This film is available on DVD and can be watched in full on YouTube, thanks to an upload by ClassicRocknRolla1. Part one is above. I highly recommend it.

Obscurity factor: 5 (on DVD, available on YouTube, not well know)

Glenn Close & Mandy Patinkin in Maxie (1985)

Obscurity factor: 7

When Jan (Close) and Nick (Patinkin) move into their new apartment in San Francisco, little do they know the tragic history of a previous tenant will impinge so palpably on their lives. The ghost of Maxie Malone, a free-wheeling flapper still inhabits the apartment and takes possession of Jan's body. Maxie is intent on proving her abilities as an actress and getting the audition she would have had if she hadn't died the night before it. She is also ecstatic to be in a body again, and goes all out to make it her own - new hairstyle, new clothes... Of course this is incredibly disconcerting to the conservative Jan.

 

Maxie is one of those films that got lost in the shuffle. It's also somewhat controversial - it's a charming comedy that many people remember fondly and others can't stand. Close and Patinkin have some great support in the film. Look for Barnard Hughes as a dotty bishop, Valerie Curtin and Ruth Gordon in her last role as the landlord and former pal of Maxie. 

This is another hard to find film. It's available on DVD, but again, the price is quite high at Amazon - over $60. You can get it for less there on VHS but it's not available on iOffer.com and there isn't a full upload on YouTube. Above is the trailer, uploaded by KaninFamily. The poster above is available at MoviePosterShop.com.

Obscurity factor: 7 (available on DVD, but expensive and rare, not on YouTube in full)