I think that's why this movie got mostly trashed by critics and fans alike. But if you ignore the fact that it's Rodney Dangerfield in the lead, it's really a cute movie with some good laughs and a fun (albeit predictable) plot. Instead of playing the usual sarcastic, wisecracking king of cutdowns, he plays a mostly harmless old man, a lovable idiot who's the butt of all the jokes rather than dishing them out.

At the same time we never feel sadness or pity toward him because, well, it's Rodney Dangerfield. His entire lifelong schtick is that he gets no respect, so instead of feeling sorry for him you laugh with him. So the casting is actually kinda brilliant. Put anyone else in the role and it would be painful: a story about a clueless patsy who's duped into flying halfway around the globe and spending gobs of cash to learn how to sing opera in 2 weeks (despite not being able to hold 1 note).

I'm tellin you it works. It's not a "Rodney Dangerfield" film, but it works on an entirely different level. The gags are corny, the laughs are predictable, there's no real danger, no sarcastic sting, and that's what makes a cute comedy. My fav RD film is hands down Back to School, but I've got a soft spot for this flick.

Also who can forget awesome romantic lines like: "I feel like we're cut from the same cheese." 🤔