With Jim Sabatini

Don't Tell Her It's Me

Rated: PG-13  for adult content
Reviewed by: Frank and Chris
Release date: September 21, 1990	Released by: Sovereign Pictures

Embarrassed by his bloated body and baldness, the results of treatment for Hodgkin's disease, Gus (Steve Guttenberg) has become a social recluse. His sister Lizzie (Shelley Long), hoping to find Gus a girlfriend, introduces him to Emily (Jamie Gertz). She thinks Gus is nice, but because of his appearance, doesn't want to go out with him. Lizzie, a romance novelist, believes that if she transforms her brother into a mysterious, handsome man, similar to the men in her novels, he will be able to get the girl of his dreams (Emily). Gus' hair grows back, he works out, fakes an accent and meets Emily wearing black leather and riding a Harley Davidson. Of course, Emily is smitten with this new guy.

This is a comedy whose message, according to its advertisement, is "beauty is only skin deep". However, this point is never brought home, as the only reason Emily gives Gus the time of day is because of his new looks (phony as they may be) and not because of his good personality, integrity or just because he happens to be a nice guy. The film is not humorous; in fact, I found it to be in extremely poor taste.