Bachelor Party (1984) / Notes

 Watching Bachelor Party (1984), while going back into Tom Hanks' past, the very word used for anything offensive and PC abusive that is problematic would be used against it. I'm sure the Tom Hanks of today doesn't even want a memory of this at all infiltrating his mind or psyche at any given point or time. A donkey snorts coke and dies with Hanks, Zmed, and his pals leaving it legs up in the elevator for the hotel owner to find, causing him to shriek. Two female hookers are sent to a bachelorette party by Hanks' adversary for the affections of a stunning Tawny Kitaen, Real Genius' own Robert Prescott (yes, he was also the dorky foil for the heroes in that goofy 80s comedy as well), surprising the ladies in attendance as they go down on each other (it is offscreen but certainly implied as the women react in shock). There is one particular trans scene that most certainly wouldn't fly involving Gary Grossman. Prescott is stripped naked by Hanks and his buddies (granted, Prescott tried to shoot Hanks with a crossbow), wrapped with a sheet, and left to hang outside a window until he falls into the open sunroof of a couple's car with his "full moon" interrupting their kiss. George Grizzard (who I know from "The Twilight Zone") is Kitaen's father, wanting much better for her, who arrives at Hanks' party, mortified by a room full of drugged-out, booze-buzzed, half-naked folks and the performer with the donkey...Zmed and some hookers "take" George to a bedroom, strap him in leathers and a mouth gag (!!!), taking pictures for posterity. I would say, "You can't make this stuff up?!" But they did. This is very much of an era that I just don't think I'll find on Starz or HBO in the future. If The Censors start erasing films from future generations out of "protection", Bachelor Party is fit for the gallows. 

Hanks, to his credit, is mostly okay. I don't think he ever does anything that would have The Censors coming at him with pitchforks and torches. The film itself, not so much. If you are of a sensitive nature and are triggered by raunch and a bawdy, let-all-hell-break-loose comedy; Bachelor Party will probably send you into a blind rage wanting every print of the film burned to ash and the ground cleansed. 

I loved the fun rib at 3D camp with Hanks and Prescott duking it out while Kitaen tries to avoid any contact in a theater as a crowd really gets into the action. And Hanks really seems to be improvising. His mocking Prescott's walk with flailing arms and his wagging a finger at a buddy in dire need of rehab and counseling (he's taking his divorce hard and abusing hard drugs as a result, whining in high pitch), telling him to behave, among other things that cause Kitaen to grin (probably not in the script since Hanks does appear to be off-the-cuff) kept me personally entertained.

Much like other zany sex comedies in the decade, the cast seems to have the time of their life. I have to say, although I realize Prescott is horrified by what Diamond (an auto mechanic) does to his car, I though the Porsche was improved...it was bad ass with flames on the sides. Diamond's manic Animal House Belushi routine is very much robust. Dudikoff of "American Ninja" is unrecognizably animated as one of Hanks' madcap pals. Monique Gabrielle as a high school classmate certainly leaves an impression...she's certainly hard to forget.