Joysticks Greydon Clark. 1983

Street 2 941 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038, USA See in map

Joysticks (1983)

directed by Greydon Clark

Greydon Clark does not elevate the boner comedy, but he does imbue it with a refreshingly egalitarian vision. The arcade in this movie is the great equalizer, where nerds, slobs, babes, punks, gang members and businessmen are brought to the same level. There is the expected boob quota, but the movie does not have the same contempt for women that some its contemporaries could be accused of. This movie has a warm outlook when it comes to video games, believing that they could bring us together and solve our problems, and optimistic worldview from happier times before we discovered the evil that lurks in the hearts of gamers.

The characters here are defined as the narrowest of stereotypes, played without much appetite for colouring outside the lines. Most memorable is Jim Greenleaf as McDorfus, the John Belushi knockoff whose proud flatulence is repulsive to many but attractive to some. Most will watch this for the participation of Joe Don Baker, who spends his screentime plotting against the heroes or being exasperated by his idiot nephews John Diehl and John Voldstad.