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The Best of Times

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The Best of Times

PG-13

Released Jan 31, 1986

1h 44m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

29%

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14 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Married banker Jack Dundee (Robin Williams) has lived his life regretting a botched play he made in a high school football game. His friend Reno Hightower (Kurt Russell), who threw the pass that Jack dropped, is deeply in debt from operating his car garage. With Reno, Jack hatches a plan to reunite all the players from the old game and replay it, hoping that this time he can make amends. When the game eventually happens, Jack again finds himself at the center of a key play.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

... what it really resembles, more than anything, is a teen comedy populated by adults.

Jan 4, 2018

Full Review

Walter Goodman

New York Times

Such a rouser that it almost makes up for the incomplete passes and stopped runs that precede it.

Rated: 2/5

May 21, 2003

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Here’s a “feel-good” movie more likely to make one “feel-annoyed” by the utter predictability of it all.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Oct 6, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 26, 2005

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Nostalgic fantasy about replaying that high school game with all the jock pals.

Rated: 2/5

May 31, 2005

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Karl H

I can't believe the critics panned this. Obviously it's predictable, but Robin Williams in particular just nails it. He's at his funniest when he isn't trying to be funny. The interactions with his father-in-law are comedy gold. Much better than a lot of 80's movies. Just watch it and enjoy it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

Full Review

Blu B

It's a harmless sports comedy flick that deals with being stuck in the past and letting it dictate your future type stuff. It's pretty mediocre all around. If I had to point to the biggest issue is the editing isn't that very good. The plot lines of Russell& Williams romantic subplots and the actual game feel like 3 seperate stories at times and it gets boring in the middle when it just focuses on that and attempts comedy. That's the second biggest issue. This just isn't that funny. None of the humor is terrible but it just falls flats constantly 99% of the time. This would've done wonders for itself it would actually be funny. The other issue is the actual game at the end isn't that well edited and it's honestly hard to tell whose winning and whose who because there covered in mud half the time. It's harmless stuff honestly and kind of like a family sports comedy with a bit of rom com to it. Nothing particulary broken, basic direction, Williams & Russell have alright chemistry, the love interests are super forgettable. None of the supporting characters on the team or opponent are that memorable but attempt is made to add any depth like something like the Replacements so it's whatever. I would say most could skip this unless your a super hardcore fan of the two leads. There's better sports flicks, romcoms, and stuff these two have done.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

Full Review

Nicolas P

Really enjoyable. Great cast. Character's everyone would relate to from old Highschool days! Dated now, but still an enjoyable movie!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

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Mark C

This movie is great. Robin Williams is hilarious and Kurt Russell and Pamela Reed are terrific. The entire casting for the movie is well done. Hey, it ain't Shakespeare but it a lot of fun.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/24

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Jeff G

I love this movie. Sure, it's not anyone's best work, but it's very '80s and it's very feel-good. Definitely worth watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/23

Full Review

Josh G

A fun dramedy that drag at early points of the film, it is fun but forgettable. Not much to say on this one.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/17/23

Full Review

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Roger Spottiswoode

Director

Robin Williams

Jack Dundee

Kurt Russell

Reno Hightower

Pamela Reed

Gigi Hightower

Holly Palance

Elly Dundee

Donald Moffat

The Colonel

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Marriage and Football

2:38

The Best of Times: Official Clip - The Dance

3:02

The Best of Times: Official Clip - White Shoes

2:28

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Me or the Game

3:00

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Let's Go Jack

2:38

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Welcome Aboard, Reno

2:47

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Talking About the World

2:05

The Best of Times: Official Clip - I Can Get Open

3:51

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Practice Aerobics

1:59

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Synopsis

Married banker Jack Dundee (Robin Williams) has lived his life regretting a botched play he made in a high school football game. His friend Reno Hightower (Kurt Russell), who threw the pass that Jack dropped, is deeply in debt from operating his car garage. With Reno, Jack hatches a plan to reunite all the players from the old game and replay it, hoping that this time he can make amends. When the game eventually happens, Jack again finds himself at the center of a key play.

Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Producer: Gordon Carroll
Screenwriter: Ron Shelton
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 31, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.8M
Runtime: 1h 44m

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