Amnesia is comedians’ tools since Shakespeare (“Henry IV”). An up-to-date version in the current edition of the movie “Overboard” plays it to the hilt, but this time it is a role reversal.
Spoiled and wealthy bon vivant Leonardo (Eugenio Derbez) accidentally falls off his lavish yacht and is rescued, but not before he suffers an attack of amnesia. He faces Kate (Emily Maddison) who is a carpet cleaner hired to tidy up the ship while in port. She is quick to size up the situation and convinces Leonardo that they are married. How long she can keep up the ruse is the gist of the plot.
Events smack of the 1987 movie of the same name starring Goldie Hawn, where she is the memory loss person.
Mexican actor Derbez draws the top salary here. He is beloved in his homeland south of the border. His variety of expressions from elation to dismay are impeccable. Leonardo’s return from amnesia to full memory is not convincing, but blame this on the movie’s directors.
If it is movie time for a good comedy, then “Overboard” is it. This flick gets an A rating. See it at The Old Mill Playhouse in The Villages.
Jack Petro reviews movies for Villages-News.com
