The Film (4/5)

Casey Meadows, a low on the totem poll dishwasher at an Italian restaurant, receives a letter from a business wealthy owner offering a dream job of chauffeuring socialites, businessmen, and ambassadors at a prestigious limousine company, but Casey isn't your average stiff collared driver.  The former quick wit and unconventional bus driver receives the cold shoulder upon her first day from a dominantly patriarchal position and is handed the most difficult jobs that require the utmost attention and will sure to drive any other rookie to quit.  Determined to prove herself to the crotchety bunch of male limo chauffeurs, Casey offers up more than just holding doors open and keeping her mouth shut while escorting volatile clients to their destination; attributes noticed by one particularly harsh and fitful client named Battle who just happens to be the boss's son.

David Baird writes and directs the 1986 cult comedy feature "My Chauffeur" that aims to identify the undercutting sexism in a heritably male dominant and be an act of pure rebellion against not only the poignant and sustainable battle of the sexes, but also the ever present, cross generational dividing classism.  However, Baird places these social issues right under the jutting out hairs of your nose, but their heavily masked by pinpoint comedy by the likes of being a zany, sensationalistic comedy in the same vain as "Revenge of the Nerds" or "Back to School" starring comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield.  The snappy and hilarious charm of Casey Meadows, along with a series of wacky characters, drown out the classism and sexism, diluting the subjects really, to have comedy be the means of disclosure.

"Grizzly II:  The Concert" and "Valley Girl" actress Deborah Foreman stars as the fun loving limousine driver Casey Meadows.  Foreman rocks the role, delivering timely comedy and an infectious personality thats carefree, lovable, and just slightly annoying.  Opposite Foreman is the brawny, "Flash Gordon" himself, Sam J. Jones in a rather odd comedic role portraying to be a stern businessman, but in a surprising turn, will strip naked in a park and run around foolishly in a in-performance drunken stupor.  I didn't particular find Foreman and Jones to have great chemistry as "Flash" bored with a great stiffness and Foreman jollied the screen with her youthful playfulness.  The odd part about this cult comedy is the legendary casting behind it of seasoned vets like E.G. Marshall ("Tora! Tora! Tora!"), Sean McClory ("Them"), Howard Hesseman ("This Is Spinal Tap"), Julius Harris ("Black Caesar"), John O'Leary ("The Last Starfighter"), Laurie Main ("Freaky Friday"), Stanley Brock ("Night of the Comet") as old fogies unwilling to change their patriarchal culture and Penn and Teller in one their first acting roles in film.

"My Chauffeur" is funny.  Plain and simple.  Yet, Baird's film feels a bit choppy at the editing stage with intercut miscues that places scenes jumping to and fro in odd or untimely place of events, losing some of the more poignant comedy between Casey Meadows and her ignorant group of elderly men co-workers led by the invariable McBride.  Still, the light-hearted, zany comedy is uplifting and charming despite the chauvinistic undertones and gratuitous nudity.  Penn Jillette and Teller are this film haven't changed their comedic schtick in 30 plus years with Penn running a ranging, swindling dialogue and Teller absorbing it all as a puppy eyed mute.  Stuff pulled off in "My Chauffeur" wouldn't make the political correctness train today with Penn and Teller aiding to the cause by calling Teller's Abdul character and his bodyguards a bunch of towel heads in a non-hatred scene of jest.

Audio/Video (4.5/5)

Vinegar Syndrome's 2-dsic DVD/Blu-ray release of the "My Chauffeur" is presented in an anamorphic widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio.  The original 35mm negative has been scanned in Vinegar Syndrome's staple 2k scan and restoration.  The image quality on the Blu-ray aims to please with great hue, depth in range, and without an inkling of imperfections.  Sometimes, in select scenes, there's a soft overlay that disperses the detail, but the color palette is satisfactory despite the soft touches.  No cropping or image enhancing detected during viewing.

The English DTS-HD single channel mix sustains an audible range that levels right on target.  Dialogue is clean and a priority and the killer 80's soundtrack emulates the same qualities as the dialogue.  The release comes with English SDH subtitles.

Extras (5/5)

The impressive bonus material is goes above and beyond for a cult comedy that's under the radar.  Star Deborah Foreman does a one-on-one interview in a "License to Drive" entitled segment, there are not one, but two, audio commentaries that include writer-director David Baird, co-star Leland Crooke, and Jeff McKay, a production assistant, the soundtrack has been isolated for your listening pleasure, a behind the scenes still gallery, and the original theatrical trailer and tv spots.  Also, "My Chauffeur" has reversible, illustrated pop art cover designed by NYC graphic designer Derek Gabryszak.

Overall

Vinegar Syndrome's "My Chauffeur" will win hearts, in a film sense and in a Blu-ray technicalities.  Deborah Foreman is absolutely lovely with killer well-timed quips and Sam J. Jones's attempt to be outlandish just put the cherry on top.  Though plenty of social commentary, David Baird's "My Chauffeur" stiff arms the consequences, the negativity, and the polarity of those issues right back into the dark, gloomy cave of which they came and brightens the attitude of his 1985 film with off the wall witty scenarios, a full-bodied soundtrack, and visual eye candy that makes this film really enjoyable.