The Adventures of Ford Fairlane

{{Short description|1990 action comedy film directed by Renny Harlin}}

{{Infobox film

| name = The Adventures of Ford Fairlane

| image = Fordfairlaneposter.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Renny Harlin

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Steve Perry
Joel Silver

}}

| screenplay = {{Plainlist|

}}

| story = {{Plainlist|

David Arnott
James Cappe

}}

| based_on = {{based on|Characters|Rex Weiner}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

| narrator =

| music = {{Plainlist|

Yello}}

| cinematography = Oliver Wood

| editing = Michael Tronick

| studio = Silver Pictures

| distributor = 20th Century Fox

| released = {{Film date|1990|07|11}}

| runtime = 102 minutes{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/adventures-ford-fairlane-1970-1 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725124633/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/adventures-ford-fairlane-1970-1 | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 25, 2015 | title=THE ADVENTURES OF FORD FAIRLANE (18) | work=British Board of Film Classification | date=September 17, 1990 | access-date=July 24, 2015}}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $20 million{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58388-THE-ADVENTURES-OF-FORD-FAIRLANE|title=AFI|Catalog|website=Catalog.afi.com|access-date=November 15, 2021}}

| gross = $21.4 million

}}

The Adventures of Ford Fairlane is a 1990 American mystery action comedy film directed by Renny Harlin[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/66661/the-adventures-of-ford-fairlane#overview Turner Classic Movies] and written by David Arnott, James Cappe, and Daniel Waters based on a story by Arnott and Cappe. The film stars comedian Andrew Dice Clay as the title character, Ford Fairlane, a "Rock n' Roll Detective",[https://www.avclub.com/inventory-stop-that-vehicle-20-misbegotten-movies-cus-1798209998 Inventory: Stop That Vehicle! 20 Misbegotten Movies Custom-Made For The Utterly Unworthy - The A.V. Club] whose beat is the music industry in Los Angeles. True to his name, Fairlane drives a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner in the film.

The film's main character was created by writer Rex Weiner in a series of stories that were published as weekly serials in 1979–80 by the New York Rocker and the LA Weekly. The stories were published as a book by Rare Bird Books in July 2018.{{Cite book|title=The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane: The Long Lost Rock n' Roll Detective Stories|last1=Weiner|first1=Rex|last2=Schwartz|first2=Andy|last3=Levin|first3=Jay|last4=Mutrux|first4=Floyd|date=2018-07-17|publisher=Rare Bird Books, A Vireo Book|isbn=9781945572807|edition= Original |location=S.l.|language=en}}

The film was both a commercial and critical failure, being awarded the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture, tying with Bo Derek's Ghosts Can't Do It. Billy Idol's "Cradle of Love" from the soundtrack became one of his biggest hits on the Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at #2). DC Comics produced a prequel miniseries of same name.[https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=268031 Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990) comic books] The film has since developed a cult following.

Plot

Private investigator Ford Fairlane is seen sitting on a beach smoking with great melancholy as the film opens. A flashback initiates, showing a roaring crowd at a concert{{Cite web|title=FORD FAIRLANE FILMING Red Rocks Amphitheatre|url=https://www.redrocksonline.com/events/1896/|access-date=2020-07-10|website=Redrocksonline.com|language=en-US}} at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, given by fictional popular heavy metal band, "The Black Plague". Lead singer Bobby Black makes an eccentric entrance down a zip line from Creation Rock onto the stage and begins performing. Shortly into one of the band's songs, Bobby Black starts gagging and collapses dead on stage.

Later, shock-jock Johnny Crunch, an old friend who came west with Fairlane to become a rock star, hires Fairlane to track down a mysterious teenage groupie named Zuzu Petals, who may have a connection to Black's mysterious death.

Soon after hiring Fairlane, Crunch is electrocuted on the air. "The World's Hippest Detective" soon finds himself trading insults with a group, including ruthless record executive Julian Grendel, former-disco-star-turned-clueless-cop Lt. Amos, merciless hit man Smiley, and countless ex-girlfriends out for his blood. Aiding and abetting Fairlane is loyal assistant Jazz and a hip record producer at the head of a bizarre lineup of suspects, victims, beautiful women, and a koala as he finds himself hip-deep in the case of his life.

The MacGuffin of the film is three data CDs which -- when read simultaneously -- detail the illegal dealings of Julian Grendel, who profits handsomely from bootlegging his record company's music. Fairlane deduces Grendel murdered Bobby Black when Grendel discovered Black had acquired the CDs with the incriminating evidence.

Two of Fairlane's beloved possessions, his house and his car, are blown to bits, courtesy of Grendel, and he sacrifices his prized guitar (a custom design for the original owner, Jimi Hendrix) in a fight with Smiley.

The first disc is discovered with Colleen Sutton, the second with Zuzu Petals, and the third hidden under the star for Art Mooney on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

It is later revealed Grendel actually killed both Bobby Black and Johnny Crunch because they demanded more money for their involvement in Grendel's CD piracy.

Fairlane kills Grendel by setting him on fire with a flammable alcoholic milkshake and a lit cigarette. Jazz ultimately leaves Fairlane, believing him to be not good for her, and that he will never return the feelings she has for him.

Smiley unexpectedly shows up intending to finish off Fairlane, and reveals he killed the father of his young neighbor, "The Kid." Fairlane distracts Smiley, then kills him with a sleeve pistol.

Ultimately, Fairlane and Jazz reconcile, while the Kid decides to join their detective agency. Fairlane wins a million-dollar radio contest and buys a yacht. He sails away with Jazz, The Kid, and the koala (wearing a neck brace), now one big, happy family.

Cast

Andrew Dice Clay as Ford Fairlane
Wayne Newton as Julian Grendel
Priscilla Presley as Colleen Sutton
Lauren Holly as "Jazz"
Brandon Call as The Kid
Maddie Corman as Zuzu Petals
David Patrick Kelly as Sam, The Sleaze Bag
Morris Day as Don Cleveland
Robert Englund as Smiley
Ed O'Neill as Lieutenant Amos
Gilbert Gottfried as Johnny Crunch
Vince Neil as Bobby Black
William Shockley and M. Russell Zulke as Punk Gunslingers
Steve White as Detective Benny
Kari Wuhrer as Melodi
Sheila E. as Club Singer
Lala as Sorority Girl
Delia Sheppard as Josie
Diana Barrows as Sorority Girl
Tone-Loc as "Slam"
Kurt Loder as Himself

Howard Stern was originally considered for the role of Johnny Crunch.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/02/the-lost-roles-of-howard-stern.html|title=The Lost Roles of Howard Stern|first=Bradford|last=Evans|date=February 9, 2012|website=Vulture.com|access-date=November 15, 2021}} Billy Idol was originally to play Vince Neil's role, and David Bowie was approached to play Newton's.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIunGPUJDOM|title = Gilbert Gottfried Calling Lucy in the Hospital|website = YouTube| date=November 16, 2021 }}

Production

According to writer Daniel Waters, the film was slated for release in May 1990 for slate against Cadillac Man and Bird on a Wire, but Fox moved it back to July "to build Dice awareness", which he cited as a mistake.{{cite web | url=https://wearecult.rocks/interview-writerdirector-daniel-waters | title=Interview: Writer/Director Daniel Waters » We Are Cult | date=October 27, 2017 }}

Soundtrack

Music being central to the plot of a film about a private detective who specializes in cases arising from the music industry, the soundtrack featured a diverse group of artists. The official soundtrack release featured:{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/adventures-of-ford-fairlane-mw0000207589|title = Adventures of Ford Fairlane - Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic|website = AllMusic}}

"Cradle of Love" — Billy Idol
"Sea Cruise" — Dion
"Funky Attitude" — Sheila E.
"Glad to Be Alive" — Lisa Fischer, Teddy Pendergrass
"Can't Get Enough" — Tone Loc
"Rock 'N Roll Junkie" — Mötley Crüe
"I Ain't Got You" — Andrew Dice Clay
"Last Time in Paris" — Queensrÿche
"Unbelievable" — Yello
"Wind Cries Mary" — Richie Sambora

The film's soundtrack includes Idol's "Cradle of Love", which also appeared on Idol's 1990 album Charmed Life.[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-wrfo2An0qo Cradle Of Life - Billy Idol on official YouTube channel]

A number of the musicians featured on the soundtrack also appeared in the film itself, including Morris Day, Sheila E., and Tone Loc (as Slam the Rapper). The members of the fictional band Black Plague are played by professional musicians: Vince Neil, lead singer of Mötley Crüe; Ozzy Osbourne bassist Phil Soussan and drummer Randy Castillo; and Quiet Riot guitarist Carlos Cavazo. Richie Sambora's contribution to the soundtrack was a cover of the Jimi Hendrix song "Wind Cries Mary". Yello's "Unbelievable" samples dialogue from the film, although a phone number given as "1-800-Perfect" is changed to "1-800-Unbelievable". Not appearing on the soundtrack is "Booty Time", the song that Ed O'Neill's character performs during the film.

Yello is also credited with the film's music score, and an early cut of their album Baby is used as the film's incidental soundtrack. Barry McIlheney in Q magazine was critical of the collection and only highlighted the Billy Idol contribution while giving the overall release 2 out 5 stars.{{Cite journal |last=McIIheney |first=Brian |date=5 March 1991 |title=The Adventures of Ford Fairlane OST |journal=Q Magazine |volume=55 |pages=80}}

Release

=Critical response=

The film received generally negative reviews upon release.[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-11-ca-35-story.html MOVIE REVIEW : Role of the Dice : Comedy: The controversial Andrew Dice Clay sanitizes his stand-up act for ‘Ford Fairlane,’ but it’s a pointless exercise for the Diceman. - Los Angeles Times] Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports an approval rating of 25% based on 32 reviews, with an average rating of 4.3/10.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/adventures_of_ford_fairlane/|title=The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=November 17, 2022}} On Metacritic, the film has a 24 out of 100 rating based on 13 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-adventures-of-ford-fairlane|title=The Adventures of Ford Fairlane Reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=September 11, 2019}} Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "B" on scale of A+ to F.{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= Cinemascore |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= 2018-12-20}}

Roger Ebert gave the film 1 star out of a possible 4, and called the film "loud, ugly and mean-spirited" but he also suggested that Clay had the confidence and screen presence for a successful acting career if he could move beyond his shtick.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-adventures-of-ford-fairlane-1990|title=The Adventures of Ford Fairlane Movie Review (1990)|last=Ebert|first=Roger|author-link=Roger Ebert|date=July 11, 2019|website=RogerEbert.com|access-date=September 11, 2019}} He and fellow critic Gene Siskel each gave the film a thumbs down on their series Siskel & Ebert & the Movies.[https://siskelebert.org/?p=5638 Ghost, Quick Change, Arachnophobia, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Jetsons: The Movie, 1990 - Siskel and Ebert Movie Reviews]

=Box office=

The film was not a financial success during its original theatrical release, making just over $21 million in the U.S.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=adventuresoffordfairlane.htm |title=The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (Summary) |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2013-06-06}} According to Clay, "They pulled my movie...in a week...I was a lightning rod for everything [politically correct]".{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Will |url=http://www.bullz-eye.com/television/interviews/2007/andrew_dice_clay.htm |title=Andrew Dice Clay Interview. Dice: Undisputed Interview |publisher=Bullz-eye.com |date=2007-03-26 |access-date=2013-06-06}}

=Awards and nominations=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
Award ! Category ! Nominee(s) ! Result
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards \| Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures \| Billy Idol – "Cradle of Love" \| {{won}}
rowspan="6"\| Golden Raspberry Awards \| Worst Picture \| Joel Silver and Steve Perry \| {{won}}{{efn\|Tied with Ghosts Can't Do It.}}
Worst Director \| Renny Harlin \| {{nom}}
Worst Actor \| Andrew Dice Clay \| {{won}}
rowspan="2"\| Worst Supporting Actor \| Gilbert Gottfried \| {{nom}}
Wayne Newton \| {{nom}}
Worst Screenplay \| Daniel Waters and David Arnott & James Cappe; Story by James Cappe & David Arnott; Based on characters created by Rex Weiner \| {{won}}
MTV Video Music Awards \| Best Video from a Film \| Billy Idol – "Cradle of Love" \| {{won}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

Award

! Category

! Nominee(s)

! Result

ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards

| Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures

| Billy Idol – "Cradle of Love"

| {{won}}

rowspan="6"| Golden Raspberry Awards

| Worst Picture

| Joel Silver and Steve Perry