Product Details

• Actors: Molly Ringwald, Robert Downey Jr., Dennis Hopper, Danny Aiello, Mildred Dunnock
• Directors: James Toback
• Writers: James Toback
• Producers: David Leigh MacLeod, Warren Beatty
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: May 5, 1998
• Run Time: 81 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630100678X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,449 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pick this Film Up!, August 27, 2000

By 

Luis Hernandez (New York, New York, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pick-Up Artist [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Before his troubles with the law, Robert Downey, Jr. starred in this charming comedy vehicle as Jack, a schoolteacher, who knows more pick up lines than a politician on Capitol Hill. During one of his frequent visits to one of New York City's many night club, he meets Randy Jensen (Ringwald)a museum guide at the American Museum of Natural History whom he becomes fascinated with.

During a short period, Jack discovers that he has met his match in Randy due to her hard-to-get attitude. However, due to her father's trouble with the mob, Randy must find a way to clear her father out of the debt he acquired from gambling. This is where Jack enters, and after an unsuccessful streak of luck in Atlantic City, Jack risks everything to help Randy out. Jack the player gives up his game and pursuit of women all for the name of love.

This is one of my all-time favorite romantic comedies. The beauty and ambiance of New York City in its' P.G. (Pre-Giuliani) days are memorable, especially for me as a native. Keep an eye out for cameos by Vanessa Williams, Victoria Jackson, Danny Aiello, and Dennis Hopper as Randy's father. Director James Toback ("Two Girls & a Guy"; "Black and White") does an excellent job of capturing Downey's immense talent on screen, and Ringwald in one of her post-Brat pack films also shines. This was one of her final films before she moved to France for a few years.

If you are in a mood for a great romantic comedy try this comedy as well as "Trick". Both films were filmed in New York and offer the audience with a charming storyline and memorable characters. Overall, the "Pick Up Artist" is an excellent film that will capture your heart.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Molly Ringwald Grows Up - Too Much, July 22, 2004

By 

Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pick-Up Artist (DVD)

Molly Ringwald became a teenage phenomenon in the 80s with "Pretty in Pink," "Sixteen Candles," and "The Breakfast Club." For a while it seemed as though every movie she made was a sure hit, until "The Pick-Up Artist." This movie has several problems that make it much less likable than Molly's other movies, and it is one of my least favorite movies starring Molly Ringwald.

Part of the problem with this movie is that Molly Ringwald actually is not the star. The principal character is Jack Jericho (Robert Downey, Jr.). Jack seems to have a mouth that continually runs. Jack seems to like to hear himself talk. Jack establishes at the beginning of the movie that he has one goal in life, and that is to meet, date and make love to as many women as possible. Clearly Jack is as shallow as plastic wrap.

Randy Jenson (Ringwald) on the other hand is an enabler. Her father Flash Jensen (Dennis Hopper) has an alcohol and a gambling problem, and Molly is doing her best to get her father out of trouble, without solving the root of his problems that lead him to drinking. I kept thinking that Randy really needs help, both for herself and for Flash. That her only help was shallow Jack Jericho seemed to be totally inadequate. I kept interpreting everything Jack did in terms of his normal goal with women, which was very distracting. Thus, when Jack actually did change in a cliche sort of way I missed the change.

This movie has some humorous moments, but they are offset too often by Robert Downey being annoying, and an intimate scene between Downey and Ringwald was a bit shocking for me. This movie is not a comedy at all, regardless of how wholesome, sweet and smiling Molly Ringwald looks on the cover.

This movie is definitely not suitable for children, and is probably barely only suitable for teenagers. While the movie has its moments, I will provide only a weak recommendation. If you really like either Molly Ringwald or Robert Downey, then this movie will probably work for you. If you are expecting another movie similar to the three I mentioned earlier, all of which I consider to be far superior to this movie, then prepare to be disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Pick-Up Artist, September 25, 2010

By 

Jose Lopez "Jose Lopez" (Miami,Florida USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pick-Up Artist (DVD)

Cutesy Girl film but Robert Downey Jr. Is a Great Actor along side Molly Ringwald who apparently has no scruples in the movie.(She puts out after just meeting the guy)And Danny Aiello,Dennis Hooper,you also Have A young BLACK Haired Pauly from the Sopranos in it as well as Lorraine Braco(Saw the credits,but don't remember who she played,didn't even notice) I also didn't even notice Vanessa Williams(The lady walking the dog). I sincerely Doubt that the Camaro was such a Lemon in the movie, Anyhow,Girls would probably love this movie,I thought it was okay,I like Less Than Zero More.