The Cadillac Coupe de Ville takes it gas through the left taillight. I learned this from watching the movie Coupe de Ville.

Each family expresses their love in different ways. I was reminded of this while watching the same movie.

A car won’t run without gas.

A family won’t work without love.

You’d think it would be easy to figure out how to get the gas in the tank.

You’d also think that it would be natural for a family to express love.

The movie Coupe de Ville allows us to peek in on a 1950's family that can’t seem to find the love between them. It’s the story of three brothers who come together to deliver a beautiful blue Cadillac to their mother for her birthday.

It doesn’t take long for us to notice that the three of them do not get along. Their verbal abuse toward each other starts almost immediately. They just don’t like each other. However, they do have enough love for their mother to endure each other for the long trip from Detroit to Miami.

It also doesn’t take long for us to figure out how the brothers learned their abusive verbal skills. They learned it from their Dad (Alan Arkin). He’s a “take-charge” kind of a guy whose leadership method is shouting and belittling.

It’s interesting to watch the three personalities in light of their father’s influence. The oldest brother (Daniel Stern) is just like his Dad. Stern plays his part well. He’s in the authority position and the proof is in the volume of his voice.

The middle brother (Arye Gross) attempts to be the peacemaker in the family. He probably grew up watching his father and brother fight and instead of becoming like them, he wanted to solve the problems and erase the tension.

The youngest brother (Patrick Dempsey) is the rebellious one. He wants anything but to become like his father. The irony of his situation is that he’s so concerned about not becoming like the old man that he’s turning into him in a different way.

These brothers at the request of their Dad are on the road, stuck together in close range. The Dad has made some mistakes raising the three of them, but apparently his age has brought wisdom, because this trip is just what the three need. Either they figure out where their emotional gas tank is, or they drive each other insane.

It sounds like the set up for an emotional rollercoaster. Luckily, it’s not. Think back on your youth. Maybe your family memories are different, but when I think back a few tense moments come to mind.

For example, how do you get five people to agree on a restaurant on vacation at the beach. One person wants seafood, another wants fast food. Dad wants cheap, so seafood is out. Mom just wants someone to make a decision. 45-minutes of driving ensues. Tempers fly. And, the next thing you know you’re at Denny’s in the middle of senior citizen night. …great time at the beach.

We look back on those times and laugh. We deserved what we got. That’s the attitude Coupe de Ville takes. It has every opportunity to delve into sappy sentimentality. It never does.

Instead, we see the situations as a person looking back at an old vacation memory. As you think back you wonder how you ever got through it, but you never really regret having the memories, …at least most of the time.

So, as you can guess, before the movie is over the brothers figure out how to get the gas into the tank of their Coupe de Ville. And, they finally realize that love exists between the three of them. They just had to look for it in the right places.

There’s no cheesy “I love you” or “I’m sorry” scenes. When they realize the commitment that exists between them, it’s very casual …and, I think, very real. It actually, reminded me a little of how I’d relate some of those feelings to my brother.

Every family’s different. The family in Coupe de Ville might not be your family, but I’m guessing it will remind you at times of your family. The actors do a great job of making this stress-filled world realistic and enjoyable.

The only downside to the movie is a couple weak spots in the script. Some of the problems the boys come across in the course of their trip are resolved a little too easily. These moments are unfortunate, because they bring you back to reality and remind you that you’re only watching a movie.

If it wasn’t for these weak spots in the movie I think Coupe de Ville would be considered a classic. I love its realistic, yet, humorous view of family stress. I also enjoy the way it shows that tension and love can exist simultaneously.

Because of those things I always enjoy my time with Coupe de Ville. It has some good laughs while it tells little nuggets of truth about families. Don’t expect anything too profound. But, do expect more observations than the average comedy delivers.

At the least, you’ll get a visual of how you get the fuel to a Coupe de Ville. But, if you’re lucky it might do a little more and remind you that there can still be love in your family even if you’re using your left taillight to get to it.

-------------

Just so you know, the movie isn’t for everybody. Because they’re pretty upset most of the movie there’s a lot of rough language, especially for a PG-13. And, there’s some sexual dialogue, specifically when they’re discussing the different lyrics to Louie, Louie.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older