Customer Reviews

Cheech and Chong - Things Are Tough All Over

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Cheech and Chong are back in such strong form here that it makes me wonder if I shouldn't reevaluate the previous film, Nice Dreams (1981), which seemed like a misstep to me on my last viewing.

Of course, there are some major differences with Things are Tough All Over. For Nice Dreams, Cheech and Chong took the ultimate stoner/slacker route and made a film with little plot or direction. It seemed like they were engaging in the same behavior offscreen as on and just and playing around with loose, rough ideas. Maybe they also wondered what the heck they had done when later watching Nice Dreams (or watching the box office returns), because for Things are Tough All Over, they took an entirely different path and crafted an intricately structured comic misadventure where they play two interweaving sets of characters--Cheech and Chong, of course, and Mr. Slyman (Cheech) and Prince Habib (Chong), Arab brothers who serve as Cheech and Chong's employers in various guises.

The script for Things are Tough All Over may have been something Cheech and Chong were working on for awhile. The basic subtext (as reflected in the title) is the recession during the Carter years in the U.S. Slyman and Habib represent the flipside of the gas crisis (which is both metaphorically and literally in the plot at the same time in interesting and funny ways, even including flatulence jokes), and their prosperity as well as Cheech and Chong's role in the climax and denouement of the film represent the change of economic and social climate of the Reagan years. This may be reading a bit too heavily into the film, but to some extent, these themes were definitely intentional.

Not that this is a serious film. The gags here are on par with Up in Smoke (1978). And given the engaging misadventure/road-movie plot, the gags have a purpose that makes them that much better. Things are Tough All Over is also unusual in that it's the first Cheech and Chong film that's not focused on drugs. Not that I dislike drug humor (or the idea of drug use), but not _having_ to make this film about drugs opens up the door for Cheech and Chong to focus on comedy for its own sake. They go with material because it's going to be funny, and their timing is exquisitely on--they know just how far they can milk any particular joke for maximum effect.

One of the best movies ever. It is the 3rd best Cheech and Chong movie (1 Up in Smoke, 2 Next Movie). I laughed through most of it. It doesn't have much weed but it is very funny. I think everyone should buy it. i've never met anyone who didn't love this movie. cheech and chong both play 2 roles, and they do it very well.

Ditching their pot smoking image the duo suceeds brilliantly at more conventional humour. Best scene is the sobbing cry sketch the duo have with Rip Torn.

this is one of my favorite movies of all time and never ceases to leave me in stitches.it definately has some of the funniest scenes out of all the c&c movies,particularly the desert ones where chong is tripping on peyote and the slyman and habib sketch where they get lost in the middle of nowhere.cheech and chong play dual roles,and it works wonders....enjoy!

Cheech and Chong are back as the usual miscreants whose motto is nothing less than sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Their present adventure carrying all the same low-brow humor as in their other great comedy films.

Cheech and Chong are now in Detroit working for an Arab sheik and his body guard (also played by Cheech and Chong) who own a car wash named 'The Two Guys From Mecca'. Being involved in rather shady business, the sheik gives Cheech and Chong a job driving a limousine to Las Vegas as a drive-away with $10,000 stashed in one of the seats. Broke and having no knowledge of the hidden money, the comic pair soon has to come up with clever ways of paying their way to Sin City. The audience follows Cheech and Chong in their wild trek to Las Vegas while they're being chased by their two angry employers: how will they get out of this pickle?

Another great adventure with the two miscreants of comedy. This film is just as great as their other films such as 'Up In Smoke' and 'Nice Dreams'. Don't miss it!

Saw this when it first came out and remember my date just laughing constantly & loudly in the theater through the whole movie. I laughed alot myself. Good memory, good movie. This is the funniest and best Cheech & Chong movie (I think that the 2nd best is "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie"). Being a musician and being the age that I am (47), I love the musicians & band scenes/jokes, of which there are many in this film. I haven't seen the DVD version, and don't think I'll buy it as there doesn't seem to be any extras on it at all. Are there?

There were none. But this movie was really choice

Hillarious movie! They play great double roles as the arab brothers and themselves. There is also a very funny seen involving piotai.(Hope I spelled that right) My advice is to buy or rent this movie. Other suggested C&C films:Up In Smoke, Next Movie, Nice Dreams, Far Out Man, Born In East L.A., Still Smokin'

This movie will keep you laughing with the antics of these two dope-heads. They get into more situations than the law allows and get out of them easily. Comical all the way.

This is probably the least known and the least watched Cheech and Chong movie there is. I myself was trying to find it for years, but thank God it has been released on DVD. This movie is the best on DVD and there is no other way to wathc other than on DVD. The sound is good and for a movie that was made in 1982 the picture looks extremely rich and beautiful. The only bad thing about the DVD is that it doesn't really have to many special features on it, but that isn't why you should but this. The movie foucuses on Cheech and Chong living in Chicago and working for two Arab brothers (played by Cheech and Chong). When a money deal goes wrong for the Arabs they send Cheech and Chong to take the money to Las Vegas. Overall the movie is very funny, it is probably the second funniest Cheech and Chong movie after Up in Smoke. You should see this movie, it has many very hilarious scenes and one at the end that is particulary hard to forget!