lrrmcknz

I just watched this for the first time. I LOVE the OMB TV series and still watch it most weeknights on Catchy, but found the film rather disappointing for several reasons. Compressing the Connie-Boynton relationship into 84 min. Greatly dilutes the humor of her endless pursuit and his odd shyness, when he goes from frog boy to raging bull in an hour. It's like turning War and Peace into a 60 sec. Spot. Having her go gaga over him shirtless seems off. It's not that the show didn't suggest she found him physically attractive, but TV Connie didn't show it that openly.

The Walter, Harriet, & Stretch characters didn't have much to do and seemed to be there more as a nod to series fans, without really incorporating them into the story. Conklin seemed too tame compared to Gale Gordon's over the top raving that was a high point of the series. The lack of the hilarious battles between he and Connie was a negative for me. To me, there weren't that many funny moments, and even things like the slapstick falling in the water would have been done better on the show, IMO.

Overall, I felt that the subplot (?) with the Nolans was a big part of the film not being funny. Connie's crusade to get the kid to work, the absentee father, etc. Were more serious, "To Sir With Love" than comedy - fine in themselves, but not classic OMB material. This was more soap or dramedy than the comedy I expected. It picked up at the end, with the confusion over the house, which was vintage OMB.

I think I might have enjoyed the film more if I'd never seen the TV show. As it stands, I'd have much preferred three new episodes of the original, even the odd and, IMO, not as good final season. I'm apparently the odd one out, but I'm glad that most folks were able to enjoy it more than me.