Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Released in 1989 this is a "work in progress" movie for both writer Richard Curtis and Director Mel Smith. Both were to move on to much better things! That said there are weak signals of Curtis's talent later to be fully realised in "Four a Weddings and a Funeral", "Notting Hill" and "Love Actually". But a few good lines does not a coherent movie make and the plot is shallow and the characterisation sketchy at best. Jeff Goldblum's Dexter seems bewildered by everything - not least his subservient position to comic superstar Ron Anderson played with believable malevolence by Rowan Atkinson. Emma Thompson, then just 30, looks lovely and shows her developing talent as a comic actress. The best thing in the film by some way.Mel Smith's direction drags a bit and it is only in the very funny mock musical "Elephant" - based improbably on the "Elephant Man" - that the film comes to life. The musical is a chance for Smith to satirise the musical genre of the time with references to Les Miserables and especially to the Lloyd-Webber songbook. A Sarah Brightman lookalike does a number straight out of "Phantom" and it's very funny.The film is quite daring with an explicit sex scene between Thompson and Goldblum that is so energetic that they destroy the former's bedroom, The relationship between the two is a forerunner of Curtis's boy/girl romances in later movies. Always a slip or three between cup and lip! This is not a great film nor even a very good one. It is worth study as an exercise in how Richard Curtis's talent was first applied in a movie rather than television for which he was previously known (especially for Blackadder).

This is a very funny film. Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson are stand-outs. Rowan Atkinson is excellent as a smarmy "leading man" in the musical "Elephant!" who tries to sink Goldblum's chances in the musical. The love scenes with Thompson and Goldblum are inspired, particularly the first time they have sex. I can't recall a film that treats the act in such a spontaneous, slapstick and totally hilarious manner as it's done here. The actor's quirky takes and interaction are most funny, and the entire film is simply a delight.I've told many friends to seek out this movie, and those who have taken my advice have thanked me profusely for letting them know about it.I can't recommend it too highly--for a fun night alone, or with your special someone. It'll put a smile on your face you can't wipe off.

Dexter King (Jeff Goldblum) is an actor, who plays straight man to Ron Anderson (Rowan Atkinson) and is desperate to do something more with his life. With an Allergy to most things, he goes for his jabs at the hospital and finds the women of his dreams, Kate Lemmon (Emma Thompson) and there begins his quest for the girl. The adventure has many funny moments and lots of memorable scenes, as dexter loses his job, gets the girl, gets a new job, loses the girl, gets the girl, etc.Surprisingly the humour mostly revolves around Jeff Goldblum and not Rowan Atkinson, who is basically an egotistical Ar*ehole who is there for us to hate, and although not the Rowan Atkinson we all know, he is still amusing. Emma Thompson shows us her talent for comedy also, and the results are pretty good.Worth a Laugh 7/10

"The Tall Guy" is an enjoyable little trifle, featuring Jeff Goldblum as an American actor in London. Rowan Atkinson is hilarious as a conceited bugger, and Emma Thompson plays Goldblum's love-interest. An interesting film, not a classic by any stretch, but worth ninety minutes.