Volunteers

Just because something works the first time, doesn't always guarantee success a second time. Take for example the teaming of Tom Hanks and John Candy. Their first collaberation, Splash, was a huge hit. Hollywood thought they might have the next great comedy team and had them join forces again, with weaker box office results, in 1985's Volunteers.

Hanks stars as Lawrence Bourne III, a spoiled rich kid who upon graduating from Yale is deep in debt from his gambling. His father, George Plimpton, refuses to help. To avoid the bodily harm that his collectors are sure to apply, Lawrence switches places with his dorm mate, Xander Berkeley, and takes his place in the Peace Corps. He hops a flight to Thailand and is instantly smitten with fellow Corps member Beth, Rita Wilson, who can't stand him.He is also instantly annoyed by Tom Tuttle from Tacoma, John Candy, a gun ho All American who can't wait to get his hands dirty for the Corps.

Once there, they find out their mission is to build a bridge for the villagers. Other forces at play have plans for the bridge. A local Opium dealer, Ernest Harada, has plans to use it for his drug running. There's also a Communist attack force who have designs on the bridge. They even kidnap Tom and brainwash him. It's up to Lawrence and Beth to stop the bridge construction. With Lawrence's loose morals however, it's going to be a challenge.

This was directed by Nicholas Meyer, the same man who helmed two of the best Star Trek movies, Wrath Of Khan and The Undiscovered Country, plus the under appreciated Time After Time. A great sci fi director for sure. Kind of an odd choice for comedy though.That being said, this movie does make me laugh.

Even though it was marketed as a Hanks/Candy vehicle, they really don't have a ton of scenes together. Candy is off being brainwashed while Hanks buddies up with a local, Gedde Watanabe, and cozies up with Wilson.

The cast is really good for the most part. Hanks does his best impression of an uppercrust snob. Candy is great as always. Watanabe, best known as Long Duk Dong from Sixteen Candles, is also funny. I've always found Wilson kind of bland as an actress. This is the movie where her and Hanks hooked up together in real life.

The Peace Corps was originally offended by this movie and tried to stop it from being filmed. Once there was a change in command however, they warmed up to it and found it funny.

I found it funny too. Not a perfect comedy, but it does have a lot of laughs.

It's available on dvd.