Are we meant to be able to figure out who Jerry (Nick Nolte) is?
1. He can play the piano.
2. He can recite Hamlet.
3. While he's at lunch with Dave (Richard Dreyfuss), he's identified by a publishing agent as a famous writer.
Beyond that, he's an enigma. He has some sort of charisma or animal magnetism -- he beds Dave's wife -- Barbara (Bette Midler), daughter -- Jenny (Tracy Nelson) and maid -- Carmen (Elizabeth Pena). How? Before he charms the ladies, however, he charms Dave. Why?
At the opening of the film, somehow Jerry ends up in Dave's backyard. He's lost his dog, and his idea is to drown himself in this random Beverly Hills pool. Dave ends up saving his life, and then like some fable, he takes responsibility for the life he's just saved. He lets Jerry stay at the house, gives him a makeover, clothes, a credit card. And tries to give him a job, either in one of his factories or as a manager of one of his trailer parks.
Jerry's not interested in any of it. He's okay staying at the house, but he apparently still goes to the bathroom in the backyard. I don't think we're ever supposed to make sense of who Jerry is. The best we get is Jerry's explanation that he gives Dave and his family what they want. He is able to read people, and he treats them how they want to be treated.
And maybe he's the only person in their lives that does? (Heck, even Dave's dog prefers Jerry to anyone else). The end scene is so bizarre. Jerry is willing to go back to his old life, but Dave and his family follow him to the alley, and they all stand there smiling at him, "asking" him to come back. He does. To what end? What is it about Jerry that fills the void in their lives?
And does the ending make any sense?
Rating: 4/5 stars
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