Julie Walters, who has gone on to bigger (well, more publicized) and better things, stars as a neglected housewife of an air controller. His new car is the focus of his life. He will not let her touch the bright red machine, but one day she takes it for a "spin." Trouble ensues, including two hilarious instances with a car salesman where they become a bit too "amorous" in the car. The ending fails to supply the climax most of the audience would want, but is nonetheless enjoyable. I would give this four out of five stars simply for the situations depicted. It's no classic, but certainly a lot of fun. Walters is as manic as usual. If you have a chance, see her in "Dinner Ladies," a British comedy series in which she plays the dissolute mother of the star (who also wrote the series). In Dinner Ladies she's neither classy or beautiful, but simply hilarious.
11 Reviews
Don't waste your time watching
mlmrhino16 August 2022
One Long Unfunny Joke
cvdh11 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Plot: an amorous couple decide to engage in some extra-marital hijinks in a flashy car. They then become stuck (literally) in a Compromising Position, while said car wanders aimlessly about the countryside until the hapless couple are rescued by the authorities.
That's it. That's the entire movie. There may have been some dialogue here and there, but nothing comes to mind. It should be obvious by now that this movie is not just pointless, but actually physically painful to watch. The fact that it starred two of the UKs best up-and-coming actors (one of whom is now sadly deceased) only adds to the horror.
Ian Charleson was outstanding in the very much deserved Oscar-winning 'Chariots of Fire'. Let's remember him for that role, and try hard to pretend that this particular celluloidal abomination never happened.
That's it. That's the entire movie. There may have been some dialogue here and there, but nothing comes to mind. It should be obvious by now that this movie is not just pointless, but actually physically painful to watch. The fact that it starred two of the UKs best up-and-coming actors (one of whom is now sadly deceased) only adds to the horror.
Ian Charleson was outstanding in the very much deserved Oscar-winning 'Chariots of Fire'. Let's remember him for that role, and try hard to pretend that this particular celluloidal abomination never happened.
New Car BOMB!
Thantor22 November 1998
Ok, well I rented this movie while I was bed ridden hopped up on pain killers, and let me say, It didn't help the film any.
The film is about a man who buys a car as he is going through a midlife crisis, he loves the car more than anything around him, one day his wife decides to borrow the car. Since I don't want to spoil (not that there was anything to spoil) I shall let your imagination figure out the "Zany" (and I use that word lightly) antics that follow.
I had to fight to stay awake through this snore a minute sleeper of a film, and I would like to say that if you are venturing to the movie store and are thinking about being adventurous, please don't, it's a waste of the film it was printed on.
Then again I could be wrong...
The film is about a man who buys a car as he is going through a midlife crisis, he loves the car more than anything around him, one day his wife decides to borrow the car. Since I don't want to spoil (not that there was anything to spoil) I shall let your imagination figure out the "Zany" (and I use that word lightly) antics that follow.
I had to fight to stay awake through this snore a minute sleeper of a film, and I would like to say that if you are venturing to the movie store and are thinking about being adventurous, please don't, it's a waste of the film it was printed on.
Then again I could be wrong...
Trouble at Chez Spong
richardchatten18 October 2022
If you think it's boring listening to women talking about clothes you've never been with a bunch of blokes discussing cars.
There was a hilariously nightmarish scene in 'A Shot in the Dark' when Peter Sellers and Elke Sommer got stuck stark naked in the Parisian rush hour traffic. After a slow start this film picks up when Julie Walters (cutting quite a formidable figure in lipstick, eyeliner and big frizzy hair) finds herself in an even worse scrape in this old-fashioned sex comedy which within five years gained considerable poignancy as one of the very few films to star Ian Charleson, subsequently 'outed' by dying of AIDS. Mind you, it's highly improbable that Walters would have married such a nerd in the first place.
There was a hilariously nightmarish scene in 'A Shot in the Dark' when Peter Sellers and Elke Sommer got stuck stark naked in the Parisian rush hour traffic. After a slow start this film picks up when Julie Walters (cutting quite a formidable figure in lipstick, eyeliner and big frizzy hair) finds herself in an even worse scrape in this old-fashioned sex comedy which within five years gained considerable poignancy as one of the very few films to star Ian Charleson, subsequently 'outed' by dying of AIDS. Mind you, it's highly improbable that Walters would have married such a nerd in the first place.
An embarrassment to all concerned.
mrchr153522 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
A truly appalling film, not even bad enough to be funny. I bought this in a mini-market in Spain for something to watch, hoping to pick up a bit of Spanish by reading the sub-titles, and expecting the usual Julie Walters quality. Poor Ian Charleston is miscast in a "comedy" as her stereotype pompous middle-class husband.
The plot wouldn't survive a half hour Terry and June episode or a ten minute segment of a Carry On. Frustrated housewife "borrows" husband's new pride and joy sports car and whilst having sex with the salesman knocks off the handbrake and they crash into a tree and remain "stuck together" as onlookers gather to watch their plight.
I'm baffled as to how it ever got made and what two respected actors were doing in it. A number of websites completely miss it out in their reviews and lists of Julie Walters' films. I am sure she would love this cliché ridden drivel to disappear permanently.
A terrible waste of time, money and an E type Jag.
The plot wouldn't survive a half hour Terry and June episode or a ten minute segment of a Carry On. Frustrated housewife "borrows" husband's new pride and joy sports car and whilst having sex with the salesman knocks off the handbrake and they crash into a tree and remain "stuck together" as onlookers gather to watch their plight.
I'm baffled as to how it ever got made and what two respected actors were doing in it. A number of websites completely miss it out in their reviews and lists of Julie Walters' films. I am sure she would love this cliché ridden drivel to disappear permanently.
A terrible waste of time, money and an E type Jag.
Black Comedy at it's best
merklekranz8 March 2007
From the moment Gerald buys his dream car, his nightmares begin. Worrying about his wife getting a powdery residue on the dashboard while cleaning it, her total misunderstanding the difference between a cigar lighter and a radio knob, are the least of his concerns as she proceeds to wreck havoc with the ill-fated Jaguar. This movie might require several viewings to catch all of the subtle humor. In fact, it actually gets better with multiple viewings. His descent into insanity is well justified as theirs is the ultimate marriage heading for disaster. Only "War of the Roses" could perhaps surpass the wonderful dark humor of "Car Trouble". Highly recommended and a solid 10.0. - MERK
This is a cracking film (if you like Julie Walters)
howard-4523 June 2002
I do. The early films of Julie Walters, like "Personal Services", rely much on her early career as a nurse. She has an infectious laugh and clipped way of talking with her Midlands accent. This film is currently not available (2002) and friends and I have been searching - it has lots of one-liners (always a JW trademark) and builds up to a suitable comic climax (in every conceivable sense). The late Ian Charleson is great as the wimpish Mr Spong. I can't get on a flight now without smirking at the line where JW let's a car salesman know she is an ex-airline stewardess "I used to give out the complimentaries, you know, Tang, that sort of thing". Another British gem of a picture.
One joke film that fails to fire up
jeffbertucen@hotmail.com22 October 2002
What on earth were Ian Charleson and Julie Walters thinking when they signed on for this piece of sub-Carry On drivel? Perhaps the script looked different, or maybe the paycheck silenced all doubts. Whatever, this would have to be the most desperate, telegraphed (not to mention medically impossible) one trick pony I have ever seen involving a prodigal waste of otherwise reliable comic talent. If this film were a car, it would be a Morris Marina
Jaguar e-types and Brit Humour - Spoilers
gwcohn-110 May 2004
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, this is not Monty Python and Brit humor (humour) is an acquired taste for us Yanks.
This is the story of a wimpy know-it all air traffic controller who falls in love with an S1 Jaguar e-type FHC and trades his wife's knackered Citroen 2CV for it.
He then proceeds to get so possesive of his new toy that he won't even let wifey touch it.
Needless to say, wifey has to take it for a spin. Along the way, she meets the salesman who sold it to her hubby and they get involved in some amourous positions in the two-seater and end up having to have the police and fire department extract them.
Hubby goes berserk and tries to kill her in several outrageous scenes but love triumphs and everyone lives happily ever after, except for the e-type....
Julie Waters is a classic Brit actress and adds class to this film but the car is really the central character. You just have to own one to understand.
Worth a watch even if only for the English humor and double entendres.
This is the story of a wimpy know-it all air traffic controller who falls in love with an S1 Jaguar e-type FHC and trades his wife's knackered Citroen 2CV for it.
He then proceeds to get so possesive of his new toy that he won't even let wifey touch it.
Needless to say, wifey has to take it for a spin. Along the way, she meets the salesman who sold it to her hubby and they get involved in some amourous positions in the two-seater and end up having to have the police and fire department extract them.
Hubby goes berserk and tries to kill her in several outrageous scenes but love triumphs and everyone lives happily ever after, except for the e-type....
Julie Waters is a classic Brit actress and adds class to this film but the car is really the central character. You just have to own one to understand.
Worth a watch even if only for the English humor and double entendres.
hmmm
didi-510 May 2004
I think you have to have a certain warped sense of humour to enjoy this! Julie Walters plays a bored wife who seeks a bit of excitement in a car salesman bit of rough after several years of marriage to the boring Gerald (Ian Charleson, on pretty good form in a film he seems to have been proud of). There is a rather intriguing twist in how horny wife and horny salesman get found out (!).
'Car Trouble' is funny in fits and starts but it really does go too far in places. It is hardly a British classic (although it has now made its appearance on budget DVD in the UK) but if you like that kind of thing, it does mindless comedy pretty well. Interestingly, Walters and Charleson were working together on stage in Sam Shepard's 'Fool for Love' around the same time as this was made so this was probably just a daft sideline for them.
'Car Trouble' is funny in fits and starts but it really does go too far in places. It is hardly a British classic (although it has now made its appearance on budget DVD in the UK) but if you like that kind of thing, it does mindless comedy pretty well. Interestingly, Walters and Charleson were working together on stage in Sam Shepard's 'Fool for Love' around the same time as this was made so this was probably just a daft sideline for them.
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