Thanks for Humor-ing Us: Ivan Reitman, An Appreciation

Left to right: Ernie Hudson, Harold Ramos, Ivan Reitman,

Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray on the set of

1984's Ghostbusters

 By Michael Lyons

In a heartbreaking and heartfelt message, earlier this week, filmmaker Jason Reitman remembered his father, Ivan Reitman, who sadly passed away on February 12, 2022.

Jason's message opened with, "I've lost my hero," as he touched upon his personal loss.  He then reached out to film fans everywhere, in conclusion, stating: "Enjoy his movies and remember his storytelling gifts.  Nothing would make him happier."

There are generations of moviegoers who will gladly oblige.  Writer, producer, and director Ivan Reitman has impacted pop culture, collective memories, and film history.

It's only fitting to honor him by taking a look back at just some of his many memorable films:

Meatballs (1979)

Reitman's first significant directing role was a film that's become a beloved summer-movie rite of passage for so many.  This comedic, coming-of-age story set at a summer camp allowed Reitman to display his deft hand at film comedy and set up a perfect partnership with the director and Bill Murray.

Murray's hysterical, smirking attitude was on full display here in hist first starring role, and Reitman knew precisely how to harness it.  

Plus, Meatballs taught us all the essential sportsmanship lesson of "It just doesn't matter!"

 

Stripes (1981)

With this tale of two slackers (Murray and Harold Ramis) who join the Army, Reitman's skills were on display on a larger scale.  Stripes boasts several hilarious moments that are small (the scene where the whole platoon introduces themselves is subtle comic brilliance) and large (the synchronized marching before the military brass is a classic).

Additionally, it's all placed within a grander plot that showed Reitman's skills to expand what comedy was capable of.

 Ghostbusters (1984)

One of the greatest comedies of all time.  Murray, Ramis, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson are the titular characters who busted their way into our pop-culture hearts.

With one-liners that seem fresh and funny no matter how many times you've seen it, stunning special effects that bring to life some great specters and exhilarating and scary moments, it's no wonder that Ghostbusters is so beloved by so many.

A long-lasting hit song, toys, cartoons, a sequel, a re-boot, a video game, and a loving follow-up with last year’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife (directed by son Jason) have only proven the enduring power of Reitman's original.

Ghostbusters rightfully has a secure place in film history.  When it comes to the pure comedic comfort food of a movie, we all know who you're going to call. 

 

Legal Eagles (1986)

One of Reitman's overlooked outings.  Robert Redford is an assistant district attorney, who finds himself involved with an off-beat client (Daryl Hannah) and an uptight defense attorney (Debra Winger) during a mysterious case involving missing paintings.

With shades of classic Hollywood screwball comedies, Legal Eagles also had more dramatic moments, with the director proving, once again, that he could skillfully set a comedy against any setting.

 

Twins (1988)

Sure, it was a high-concept idea disguised as a movie, but Reitman at the helm ensured that there were solid laughs and a lot of heart in this film.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (in his first non-action movie outing) and Danny DeVito are unlikely fraternal twins who were separated at birth and reunited after years.

The film is as likable as the two stars, who had great chemistry. Schwarzenegger proved adept at comedy, sparking a movie partnership with Reitman that would continue over the next several years.

 

Kindergarten Cop (1990)

Another entry in the "Reitman/Schwarzenegger era," this time with the action star as a cop who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher.  Schwarzenegger is somewhat back in his element with more action in this outing, but there's still plenty of opportunities for laughs.

Reitman plays the scenes between Arnold and the kids for all their worth.  The scene where Schwarzenegger screams "Shuuuuuutuuuuuuup!' at a classroom of misbehaving kids is still hysterical.

 

Dave (1993)

Like films from director Preston Sturges, this a throwback to classic Hollywood comedies that make us laugh, think, and comment on society.  Kevin Kline plays the title character, an everyman who looks like the President of the United States and is forced to step in and pose as the leader of the free world

It's a familiar Prince and the Pauper-like story, but there are pleasant surprises here and a nice message about, not just politics, but the role we all play in making the world a better place.

 

Junior (1994)

This time another Schwarzenegger/Reitman outing re-teaming them with DeVito and adding Emma Thompson. Arnold plays the world's first pregnant man in a story that's, yes, another high-concept idea and predictable, but also a lot of fun.

Schwarzenegger is also fully invested in the role and delivers one of his most solid and sweetest performances.

In addition to directing these many memorable films, Ivan Reitman also served as producer or executive producer of such films as Animal House (1978), Space Jam (1996), Private Parts (1997), Old School (2003) and last year's Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

Reitman once said of film: "Movies either work or they don't work and they're either funny, or they're not, and we work very hard.  To achieve that kind of work is really kind of delicate stitching."

We are all thankful for Ivan Reitman's delicate and talented touch as he "stitched" together a legacy of movies that we will always enjoy.

Sources:

brainyquote.com

IMDb.com