Customer Reviews

Good Times

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this movie when I first viewed it. I ended up being pleasantly surprised. It's certainly watchable and a fun period piece. Sixties fans will get a kick out of seeing scenes of Sonny and Cher going around town and the brief concert footage that is shown at the beginning of the film.

The plot concerns Sonny accepting an offer to make a film but Cher doesn't feel it's the right thing to do. Sonny images them in a Western, a Jungle picture (watch for Micky Dolenz from the Monkees in a quick cameo!), and a detective drama. The duo find the time to sing a couple of songs, including an accoustic version of "I Got You Babe".

Cher has almost as many wardrobe changes during this film as Natalie Portman does in the Star Wars films. The director (William Friedkin) seems to have some sort of weird obsession about the scene where Cher is dressed as a (kind of creepy) clown. It's shown TWICE in flashback form. It also appears that character actor Paul Frees did a lot of (uncredited) voice overs for this film. If you like Paul Frees, you'll get to hear a lot of him in this movie.

The DVD contains a fairly clean print and it is presented in widesceen format. The color booklet contains a short plot summary and lists the chapters. Anchor Bay released this with no extras. A trailer, bios, and photo gallery would have been a nice plus. Captions would have been appreciated too. It's too bad that Sonny is gone because I think he could've recorded an interesting audio commentary track for this film.

If you or someone you know enjoys music and films from the sixties, by all means check this out.

This is such a colorful, whimsical video that it shows the beginning of the struggles & climbs and the raw talent & determination both Sonny & Cher had early on. It has various skits meshed into a movie that highlights both singing and Cher solo too, shows personalities & love toward eachother, clothing styles outasite,segments actually shot in their first home amid the fanciful 60's, at a time when producers really tried to do things their way.Segments include Sonny as bumbling sheriff, spy & Tarzan-type, carousel scene & show S & C as independent innovates, who vow to continue to value love over any dumb movie.

While "Good Times", Sonny and Cher's only movie together will hardly go down as a classic film, the couple's endearing relationship and genuine love for eachother shines through in this kooky comedy. Sonny's penchant for slapstick is especially evident, while Cher plays herself to perfection. There really is no plot to this film, which ironically, is part if its charm. In fact, the entire movie is Sonny's struggle to come up with a plot for a movie he is contracted to make with Cher. His imagination takes him away more than once in a series of comic sketches from the old old west to Walter Mitty. Several scenes in the movie were actually filmed in Sonny and Cher's own house due to budget restraints. Their interaction as a couple is totally genuine, much of it actually ad libbed. Definitely a must see for Sonny and Cher fans.

This movie like everything else of Sonny & Cher was made before it's time. When the film first came out it did not do good but some 40 years later so many of Sonny & Cher fans are purchasing this film even with it's not so good reviews. I loved the scenary in the beginning of the film with all of it's beauty. Great to see Sonny & Cher play themselves. They were so young and so in love. You can feel their love by watching the movie. It has it's corney scenes when Sonny is day dreaming but but it also has cute scenes of them changing into different costumes. I loved the singing, it brought back so many memories of the dynamic duo. My favorite part was the ending where they show how much they love each other and Sonny risks everything to make Cher happy and to stick by their principals. In the end love is all that matters. Sonny & Cher was America's favorite couple and there will never be any other couple that can compare or take their place. If you are a Sonny & Cher fan you have to get this DVD. It is a treasure. So young and so in love, this is the beginning of the Sonny & Cher craze. I agree with the previous person, the movie needed a commentary of either Cher or the late and very missed Sonny Bono.

My Mom took to the drive-in theater when I was 13 years old to see this movie. I loved it of course, being a fan of Sonny & Cher since the "Caesar & Cleo" year before! This film gives us a glimpse into the beginnings of Sonny & Cher/Cher, who go on to become nearly legendary in the entertainment world. It was the first time anyone who loved S & C's music to "see" them, doing more than singing, where for the most part Cher just stood there, wonderful of course, but certainly not the proven superstar she has become. Who would think 40 years could go by so fast. The film is a delight for me to watch today. It is simply a charming little film, done with all the production their budget would allow! Actually, the film itself, basically ignored when released, is put together quite well. Director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) obviously put his heart and soul in the making of this little movie, starring, of all people, Sonny & Cher. Many many "Good Times" were to follow......

If you dig Sonny and Cher, then you'll dig this movie filled with groovy threads and great music. Sonny and Cher are a blast to watch as they fantasize about being big shot movie stars after being contracted to make a movie together. Sonny is crazy for the idea, while Cher finds it tedious to the point that she wants no part. Sonny tries to come up with a plot for this movie (failing at every attempt) as Cher continually puts her two cents in, which consist of tongue-in-cheek put-downs. The fact that this movie involves Sonny trying to come up with a plot for the movie they have been contracted to make is kind of ironic since this movie itself has no real plot, just a bunch of enjoyable slapstick comedy. You will laugh your way through their goofy movie spoofs and sing along with their catchy tunes. My favorite spoof has got to be the one where Sonny plays Tarzan, jungle cry and all. He even has a close call with a lion he wrestles. . . yikes! What were they thinking not using a stuntman? Incidentally, several scenes were filmed in Sonny and Cher's home due to budget restraints. This movie picks up on the chemistry between then husband and wife, which I think might have sparked the idea for "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour". For some inoffensive and fun-loving humor, watch this!

I saw this movie shortly after it came out, in 1968, while I was in the U.S.Navy. I loved it then and was later able to buy the soundtrack album. I always liked the great music and never forgot the film. I finally got my first big flat screen TV and out of curiosity recently looked on Amazon to see if this film was even available on DVD. It was and it was only $5.99 so I ordered it, along with some other 'old' favorites and I was thrilled with it again. It was so much fun to see Sonny and Cher young again (my goodness, Cher NEVER seems to have aged!), and the music videos were FABULOUS! I've watched them over and over! This film is on my 'favorites' list of my over 1000 DVD collection! Great, fun film!! And the DVD quality is excellent, as it was produced by the original production company, not some secondary production house! 5 STARS!

..since we do not have(or have not been released) live performances of the early Sonny & Cher, this movie gives you some idea what that period was about (1964-1967)..the music is interesting & some of the jokes are good, but the script is too broad of a humor unto & like the Monkees..however, it is great to see them perform & be themselves at a very young age & stage

The movie is a hilarious spoof on Hollywood, a lighthearted comedy that has you laughing all the way through it. My favorite part was when Sonny, as a gunfighter enlisted to protect the town, is requested to sing for the townsfolk. He protests, stating that he can't sing. Cher, the dancehall girl, chimes in "Don't let that stop you!" The whole movie shows how real and lighthearted Sonny and Cher were, and how deeply they loved each other. This film is worth a look! Plus it's cool to see Cher so young and fresh-faced!

i first saw "GOOD TIMES"on abc-tv back in 1974 and it impressed me as a 10yr. oldwith its pre=Mtv styled songs,pre-Sonny and Cher show dialogue,pre-Seinfeld about nothing,and the dream sequences of Sonny as the down on his luck sheriff,jungle man,and detective.Cher shines in her witty remarks about doing the movie and brilliantly directed videos.for me this will always be my "gone with the wind",which is #2 on my list.so get the movie and its soundtrack and a younger Sonny AND CHER.~RICK SOLIMINI(4-10-00)