The Wrong Guy

Actually, Dave Foley is the right guy, but this is just the wrong movie, as evidenced by the fact that The Wrong Guy has languished on the shelf for the last five years before being released direct-to-video. Foley, so versatile as a member of the Kids in the Hall comedy team and so likeable on TV's NewsRadio, portrays a decidedly unlikable and unsympathetic character who is passed over for a promotion. After Foley threatens revenge, his boss suddenly winds up dead, and our hero--thinking he's the prime suspect--takes it on the lam. The joke is that the police realize he is innocent. The film's saving graces are Jennifer Tilly, never more charming onscreen than as a narcoleptic farm girl who hides him; David Higgins (from Malcolm in the Middle), who steals his scenes as a cop making full use of the investigation's expense account; and SCTV's Joe Flaherty, whom it's always nice to see onscreen. The real crime here is that this scattershot alleged comedy wastes so much talent. Not recommended. (K. Lee Benson)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—Nov. 28, 2017—Kino Lorber, 100 min., PG-13, DVD: $14.95, Blu-ray: $29.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1984's The Wrong Guy features a fine transfer and a DTS-HD 2.0 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include audio commentary by director David Steinberg and co-writer/costars Dave Foley, David Higgins, and Jay Kogen. Bottom line: although it looks better on Blu-ray, this is still a lame comedy.]