Customer Reviews

The Devil and Max Devlin

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of Bill Cosby's first mainstream films and a hoot a minute. The real star is supposed to Elliot Gould and he is indeed great as Max Devlin, a not so nice chappie who is hit by a bus and finds that he has gone to hell and hell is not a very nice place...In order to stay out of the infernal flames the Devil gives him a second chance, go back to earth and persuade three innocent people to sell their souls to the Devil. Max is all for it at first and to make sure he completes his task he is accompanied back to the land of the living by one of the Devil's helpers, played to perfection by Bill Cosby. The film isn't what you would call a mover and shaker when it comes to the storyline, the plot and the characters, but it fun and it will make you laugh. Max soon finds that he has gained a conscience as he tries to persuade his three victims to sign over their souls and he falls in love with the mother of his young victim played admirably by Adam Rich. Add to this a wonderful soundtrack, the song, "Roses and Rainbows," sung by Julie Budd is a cracker and you have a film that will have you chortling and crying in the same breath. Cosby is delicious as the Devil's helper who isn't really as bad as he tries to make out, and he certainly proves that he is a hell of an actor (ouch that pun hurt!) in this gloriously funny and poignant film about, man, the devil and the human heart.

The 1980's were not Disney heyday for films. However this devil of a film was cute for the 1980'a.

Bill Cosby is a soul Arranger who give a recently dead Max Devlin (Elliot Gould) a chance to return to earth. His assignment for two months to get three innocent souls to sell their souls. Cosby as Devil is almost as fun as George Burns was in Oh God You Devil. I will say this, when Cos is on screen, he steals the scene away from Gold everytime.

On the other hand, Gould plays a slick con man who is not the sharpest tool in the box. His wide-eyes deer in the headlights look makes his heroic Devlin like most Disney main characters. Gould's simple Devlin does not try to be heroic, it comes out at the end

As flawed and as dated as this film is (its almost 27 years old), it still holds up as a family film.

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

This cute comedy does not sound preachy. It is Disney with a slight edge. It is a nice family film, it seems dated, but still its good.

I've read the other reviews of this movie and I'm surprised they're so negative! While I'll admit that it's a little long and that, although I love Julie Budd, they play her big "hit song" about to death, overall I though it was great and had a great lesson or two in there...you just have to look a bit below the surface to find the powerful ones. (i.e., if you accept the devil's terms, you've already lost) I'll stop there for fear of giving too much away.
I think this movie is funny, entertaining and maybe not for really young kids. I'll bet the viewers who were bored grew up with The Terminator rather that good old fashioned Disney films.

The 80's movies, Horror, Comedy and of course Disney was high camp and over the top cheese. If you approach this movie that way then it is a 5! I had the pleasure of seeing it at the age of 12 and loved it, The song Roses and Rainbows came to me at that emotional time we call puberty. It taught to believe in ones self and don't wait for someone else too, A great lesson at 12! I had the pleasure of meeting Julie Budd and can tell you that there is not a more down to earth Star out there. So sit back in your parachute pants, tight shirt and spray some crazy color in your hair, Then you might get this movie!

Get it? Funny as hell??? Anyway, it is funny. It's one of Bill Cosby's best movies. And I like Julie Budd, who looks just like a younger and prettier Barbra Streisand. She sings some good songs in here that should have been hits. And Adam Rich, Nicholas from "Eight Is Enough" has a role, too. All in all, a very funny film.

I give all five stars to the wonderful performer, "JULIE BUDD."
I wish there would have been even more focus but this introduced
her to audiences.

When you see her perform you will sadly ask why didn't she become
a "DIVA." Sadly compared to Streisand, and have seen her in clubs,
and have her dvds, this is a talent that needs to be reconized for
"that voice."

And this should have led to many film/theatre roles.

This is not actually a review. I love the movie, have it on vhs and would like to get the dvd. However, it doesn't appear to be closed-caption. Any suggestions?

Loved the movie when we saw it at the theatre, and was overjoyed to find I could buy it. Julie Budd's rendition of Roses and Rainbows" has haunted and inspired me for years. There is just one annoying problem, the video and audio are not synced. I'm not sure if I got a bad copy or if all the DVDs are the same.

The DVD I ordered was for Christmas so it has not been watched but it did arrive quickly. I was surprised that it came as quick as it did since I was getting it so close to Christmas.

It's only merit is that is family friendly. I think. Since I was unable to watch the whole movie, due to overcoming boredom.