Okay, tapeheads, let's rewind to a time when pizza delivery could lead to… well, unexpected customer service. Pop that worn cassette of Loverboy (1989) into the VCR, adjust the tracking just so, and settle in for a slice of late-80s absurdity that feels like it was practically born on a video store shelf. This isn't high art, folks, but it’s the kind of amiable, slightly goofy comedy that filled countless Friday nights back in the day.
### Extra Toppings, Unexpected Service
The premise alone screams late-decade studio comedy pitch: Randy Bodek (Patrick Dempsey), a college kid whose summer plans implode, takes a job delivering pizzas for Señor Pizza. Thanks to a mix-up involving his mom's friend Diane (Kate Jackson) needing, uh, attentive company, Randy accidentally stumbles into a side hustle as a paid escort for neglected Beverly Hills housewives. Armed with pepperoni pizzas and a certain naive charm, Randy becomes the talk of the town, delivering "the works" with extra sausage, if you catch my drift. It’s fundamentally silly, playing on the era's fascination with cheeky sex comedies, but with a surprisingly gentle, almost sweet-natured core beneath the double entendres.
### Dempsey Before McDreamy
This was prime early Patrick Dempsey territory, wasn't it? Coming off flicks like Can't Buy Me Love (1987), he had that slightly awkward but undeniably appealing pretty-boy energy down pat. Here, he has to carry the film almost entirely on his shoulders, navigating the escalating farcical situations with wide-eyed confusion that slowly morphs into a kind of bewildered confidence. He's likable, even when the script asks him to be unbelievably naive or suddenly suave. Watching it now, you can see the seeds of the charm that would later explode on television, but here it's wrapped in that specific brand of 80s earnestness. A fun bit of trivia: Dempsey apparently did some of his own driving stunts during the pizza delivery sequences, adding a touch of real-world hustle to the Hollywood silliness.
### A Who's Who of Wonderful Women (and Ginty!)
Beyond Dempsey, Loverboy boasts a truly delightful lineup of co-stars, many playing the lonely wives who request Randy's special delivery. We get Kate Jackson, stepping away from her Charlie's Angels persona into something more comedic and vulnerable. Then there’s a hilarious turn from Kirstie Alley as a frustrated doctor, a brief but memorable appearance by Carrie Fisher as a columnist digging for dirt, and the ever-glamorous Barbara Carrera adding her distinct presence. Each gets a little moment to shine, elevating the material beyond a simple one-man show. And let's not forget Robert Ginty (yes, The Exterminator himself!) as Randy's perpetually exasperated dad, adding a dose of grounded parental frustration to the increasingly outlandish plot. It’s like a mini-reunion of familiar faces popping up for a quick, funny scene.
### An Indie Director's Studio Detour?
Here's something that always struck me as interesting: Loverboy was directed by Joan Micklin Silver. If that name rings a bell, it's likely from her more acclaimed, character-driven independent films like Hester Street (1975) or the wonderful Crossing Delancey (1988). Taking on a broad studio comedy like Loverboy seems like an unexpected detour. While the film doesn't bear the strong authorial stamp of her indie work, there's a certain warmth and focus on the characters, particularly the women, that perhaps hints at her touch. The screenplay, credited to Robin Schiff, Tom Ropelewski, and Leslie Dixon (who would later pen huge hits like Mrs. Doubtfire and Hairspray), feels very much like a product of its time – aiming for laughs with a slightly risque premise but ultimately pulling its punches to keep things light and palatable for a mainstream audience.
### Charmingly Dated Chuckles
Does the humor hold up? Well, it’s definitely of its era. The central conceit is played for laughs, and thankfully avoids feeling overly sleazy, mostly due to Dempsey's innocent portrayal and the film's generally sunny disposition. Some gags land better than others, and the plot mechanics creak occasionally, relying on convenient misunderstandings and near-misses typical of farce. Compared to the edgier comedies that would emerge in the 90s, Loverboy feels quaint, almost innocent, despite its subject matter. Remember how straightforward comedies like this felt before irony took over everything? It’s a nostalgic time capsule in that regard.
### Straight-to-Video Store Gold
Critically, Loverboy didn't exactly set the world on fire upon release in 1989. Reviews were lukewarm at best, and its box office take was modest, pulling in around $4 million. But critical reception and box office numbers rarely told the whole story back in the VHS days, did they? This film found its true home on rental shelves and late-night cable TV. It became one of those movies you stumbled upon, rented on a whim because Dempsey was on the cover, and ended up enjoying as a perfectly pleasant, forgettable-but-fun piece of fluff. It’s the definition of a comfort food movie from the era.
Rating: 6/10
Justification: Loverboy earns a solid 6 for its undeniable nostalgic charm, Patrick Dempsey's early likability, and the surprisingly strong supporting cast of women. It’s lightweight and predictable, very much an artifact of late-80s studio comedy formulas, and the premise certainly hasn't aged perfectly. However, it's executed with enough goofy energy and surprising warmth (perhaps thanks to Joan Micklin Silver's direction) to remain an enjoyable watch for fans of the era. It doesn't aim high, but it mostly delivers what it promises: a silly, smile-inducing diversion.
Final Thought: Like finding that slightly worn but favorite tape at the back of the shelf, Loverboy is a pleasant delivery from a bygone era – maybe not gourmet, but sometimes a familiar slice is exactly what you crave.