Lots of laughs are delivered in this modern remake of an 80s classic.
Calling the original 1987 film a classic must be taken with a grain of salt as it grossed roughly $27 million. However, Overboard has since developed a bit of a cult following and has split opinions on its 2018 remake starring Eugenio Derbez (How to Be a Latin Lover, Geostorm) and Anna Farris (The House Bunny, Scary Movie 1-4).
Overboard (2018) follows Kate (Faris), a widowed, working-class mother of three and Leonardo (Derbez), a self-centered playboy from the third richest family in the world. While in Elk Cove, Leonardo hires Kate to clean the carpets of his yacht. After firing and refusing to pay her, Leonardo falls…wait for it…OVERBOARD in the middle of the night. After waking up with amnesia, Leonardo is taken to a hospital where his sister, who is jealous that Leonardo is being given control of their family’s company, abandons him. Kate’s friend Theresa suggests she get payback on Leonardo by convincing him they are married and putting him to work. Despite a rough and miserable start, Leonardo earns the respect of Kate, her family, and his co-workers. However, Leonardo’s family discovers his sister had lied about what had happened to him and travels to Oregon to reveal the truth and bring him back to Mexico City.
Yes, the film is set in the same city and has the same general premise, but there’s a lot that makes this film different from its 80s predecessor. For example, there are a couple moments where the original film is referenced. According to a local doctor, other than Leonardo there has been one other case of amnesia in Elk Cove, a pretty blonde back in the 80s. Swapping the gender roles of the leads was another interesting dimension. It was enjoyable to watch a spoiled, eccentric billionaire be tasked with hours of chores and manual labor all while not knowing he’s a billionaire.
I grew up watching the original 1987 film, but refused to compare it to its modern counterpart. Like the original, I really enjoyed Overboard. Admittedly, I am a big fan of Eugenio Derbez and have enjoyed his over-the-top, Spanish infused comedy. Even though no one can replace Kurt Russell as Dean Proffitt, Derbez did an incredible job as Leonardo Montenegro.
The rest of the cast delivered hilarious performances as well. Eva Longoria (TV’s Desperate Housewives) and Mel Rodriguez (TV’s The Last Man on Earth) as married couple, Theresa and Bobby, added to the hilarity through their bickering and Bobby’s supervision of Leonardo after taking him in as an employee. Bobby’s employees and Leonardo’s co-workers Burro (Omar Chaparro), Burrito (Adrian Uribe), Vito (Jesús Ochoa), and Jason (Josh Segarra) were unbelievably funny. Their constant banter, in Spanish, felt organic and had me laughing non-stop.
Die-hard fans of the original film may compare the two films, but in my opinion this is a mistake. Try and view this film, and appreciate it without comparing it to the original. I myself am a fan of the 1987 release, and I thoroughly enjoyed the 2018 version. If you haven’t seen the 1987 version with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, check that one out as well.
Overboard is currently available on digital and will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on July 31.
