Pennies From Heaven
1981's PENNIES FROM HEAVEN surely must be one of the oddest, most schizophrenic films to come out of Hollywood. That was entirely the idea. I imagine Dennis Potter, who adapted his teleplay from the BBC series, must've have been pleased with the results. This movie seems to reflect his creative m.o., and I have to raise a glass to director Herbert Ross and company for going full tilt with the concept. Having the conviction to brazenly produce such an unpleasant, off putting drama, one that examines how fantasy informs our reality and vice versa. Is there salvation to be found in the make believe? Or does it simply warp our view and seal our doom? In Depression era Chicago, Arthur Parker (Steve Martin) barely ekes a living selling sheet music. His dream is to open a record store, and while his wife Joan (Jessica Harper) has some inheritance money in reserve, she insists it should be saved for a "rainy day." Arthur believes it is raining, cats and dogs at that