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All of Me (1984)


The one scene I appreciated was when Roger (Steve Martin) needs to win a big case, but he's prepped so much that he falls asleep in the courtroom. Edwina (Lily Tomlin) has died and somehow her spirit has entered his body. She tries to wake up "her other half," but when Roger won't wake up, she takes over and pretends, badly, to be Roger, and she almost wins the case -- until Roger does wake up, and she learns that the reasons for winning would be lie... forcing the case to be lost.

Why did Edwina's spirit enter Roger's body? That was an accident. There was always another vessel in mind. But suspend your need to know how and why things happen in this film. Just focus on this: Is it funny? Does the movie hold up?

I don't think so. It never kept my attention, really. Martin is in his "The Jerk" mode (just slightly muted). Tomlin is fine, but the only way we can see her spirit is when Martin looks in a mirror. I know this is just a cute way of letting us see her, but really? Do spirits have reflections? Could Roger really see Edwina's reflection when he looks in a mirror? Does that mean he couldn't see his own reflection? 

Eventually Edwina's spirit finds its way into the right person, but then what? Are Roger and Edwina going to be a couple? Has she taught him that there's more to life than making partner at the law firm? Is the lesson he learns that he should cherish each day of his life, and if he wants to play music, he should play music?

Roger Ebert gave this one 3.5/4; in his review, he mentioned it as being on the level of Ghostbusters (1984), which he also gave 3.5/4. Over time, though, I think this film has faded and become forgotten. Ghostbusters, on the other hand, is iconic. 

Rating: 2/5 stars

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