The Pick-up Artist (1987 film)

The Pick-up Artist is a 1987 American romantic comedy-drama film produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox, written and directed by James Toback, starring Molly Ringwald and Robert Downey Jr. in the lead roles.

The Pick-up Artist
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJames Toback
Written byJames Toback
Produced byWarren Beatty
David Leigh MacLeod
Starring
CinematographyGordon Willis
Edited byDavid Bretherton
Angelo Corrao
Music byGeorges Delerue
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
September 18, 1987 (United States)
Running time
81 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million
Box office$13,290,368

Plot

Jack Jericho is a 21-year-old womanizer, who's constantly honing his craft. Driving around the city in a red convertible, he regularly jumps out and skillfully charms women wherever he goes. The principal at the school where he teaches reprimands him for hitting on students' mothers.

Outside of a club Jack hits on Lulu, who's waiting in her mobster boyfriend Alonzo's convertible. When he comes up he threatens him, so Jack goes inside. Mobster Fernando insists he wants Randy, a young redhead in the bar who's getting noticed by many, including Jack.

Lulu follows Randy into the restroom, trying to convince her to go out with Fernando. She refuses, and points out she shouldn't be doing his dirty work. Outside, Lulu argues with Alonzo, so he leaves her there. Jack sees, offers her a lift and later a cop interrupts them as they are necking.

The next morning, Jack helps his grandmother at home with her insulin. On his way back out, the landlord reminds him the rent is overdue. Seeing Randy in the street, she surprises Jack by agreeing to have a quick fling in his car, but refuses to give him her number. He follows her to work, seeing her being harassed before heading in.

Jack discovers that Randy Jensen is a smart, independent museum tour guide who beats Jack at his own game. Her indifference only causes him to become smitten with her. Jack books a tour with one of his school groups, so he can continue flirting. Randy is too busy for romance, trying to keep her alcoholic gambler father Flash Jensen, out of harm's way.

Jack follows Randy to her apartment, pleading with her as he can't stop thinking about her. Soon after, Alfonzo and his goons arrive to demand over 25,000 owed them. She's reminded about the offer to have the debt forgiven if she spends the evening with mobster Fernando, but she again refuses. Given until noon the next day, Jack offers to help but Randy doesn't want it.

They go to Coney Island and Jack tries to win her a prize shooting baskets but fails. They go the museum's planetarium where Randy works to get her pay check. They both go in to watch the show, however Randy says she's going to be right back, but actually leaves.

Randy gets on a bus for Atlantic City, unbeknownst to Jack. She starts up a conversation with fellow passenger Harriet, who tells her about her long string of failed relationships. Randy suggests she keeps her interaction with men casual, so she can't get hurt.

Going to his friend Phil's cafe, Jack tells him about falling for Randy and the 25,000 owed. They go together to see Flash, trying to find her. Realising she's gone to Atlantic City, Phil drives them down. Just as they arrive, Randy is at the brink of winning all they need at black jack. Overhearing a couple of mobsters talking to Flash, Jack realises she's his daughter and not his girlfriend.

Alonso was called in by the mobster running the casino, so he is also there and tries to block them from authorizing a large bet by Randy. Unfortunately her 13,000 bet doesn't pay off. Jack finally catches up to her, and convinces Randy to let him help her. He sells his car for a little over 2,000, and after they eat, they return to the casino. Playing the roulette table, Jack wins 35,000 which he uses to pay off Alonso.

Although Jack has freed Randy and Flash of their debt and declares he wants them to be together forever, she insists they are bad for each other. He tears up his sheet of women's numbers and walks away. Back in NYC, Jack pays the missing two months' rent, then encounters Randy outside. She invites him to dinner and they walk off together.

Cast

Production

James Toback wrote the film for Warren Beatty who liked the script but was reluctant to play a character driven by his erotic compulsions. Toback then considered Robert De Niro but ultimately decided the role should be played by a younger actor.[1]

The film was at Paramount. Then in 1984 Beatty bought it and set up the production at Fox. Toback says the film was "not even remotely" based on Beatty. "The guy in the script chases after people. Warren always has people chasing after him."[2]

It was Toback's fourth film as director. He says his first three "were all dark movies that ended unhappily. Now I'm taking a vacation from dread and gloom. If you were casting Pick Up Artist 30 years ago you would have wanted Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. No two actors would have been more wrong for my other movies."[2]

Reception

Critical response

The film has gained generally mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a 61% rating based on 23 reviews.[3][4][5][6]

Box office

The film opened at number 5 at the US Box Office.[7]

Home media

The film was released on VHS and Laserdisc in 1987, then on DVD on December 16, 2003.[8]

References
  1. James Toback, "A Hollywood Mis-Education", Vanity Fair, March 2014 accessed 10 February 2014
  2. Hartmetz, Aljean (20 September 1985). "A Russian Director gives a diagnosis". New York Times. p. c8.
  3. "The Pick-Up Artist (1987)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  4. Maslin, Janet (1987-09-18). "Movie Review - The Pick Up Artist - Film: 'Pickup Artist,' From James Toback - NYTimes.com". Movies.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  5. Roger Ebert (1987-09-18). "The Pick-Up Artist :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews". Rogerebert.suntimes.com. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  6. "'The Pick-Up Artist' (PG-13)". Washingtonpost.com. 1987-09-18. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  7. "Weekend Box Office - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 1991-01-08. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  8. "The Pick-up Artist DVD Release Date".
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