Not nearly as good as Brother Rat, the 1938 black-and-white movie (based on a play of the same name) from which it was remade. The humor is much too exaggerated, and it needn't be. The problems the three friends create for themselves should be funny enough. You don't need the added slapstick to musical accompaniment. I normally like Eddie Bracken, but I prefer Eddie Albert's more subtle take on the same character 14 years earlier. Besides, Bracken's looks too old to be a student. Actually, they ALL look too old, but Bracken could play someone's father. Joel Grey's musical number where he imitates Jerry Lewis is the best thing about this movie, even if it doesn't exactly service the plot. I also liked--I'm not sure if this is considered a spoiler or not so I checked the box just to be sure--Cliff Ferre's tap dance that closes out the movie.
Review of About Face
