5-Word 365 #360 – D.C. Cab

I hope whatever Santa you believe in left as many presents as could reasonably fit under your tree, if you’re into that sort of thing. I woke up to a spaniel trying to wash my ears, so that was Christmas off to a great start.

D.C. Cab

Just leave the meter running.

Whitebread country boy Albert Hockenberry arrives in Your Nation’s Capital to join his late father’s Vietnam War buddy Harold’s struggling cab company. The drivers are a ragtag bunch of misfits all just waiting for their real lives to begin, but Albert’s enthusiasm and drive (sorry) encourages them all to be the greatest cab drivers they can be. Hijinks ensue.

One of the most fun sub-genres that promulgated through the cinema of the eighties was the R-rated wacky ensemble comedy. The origin of these flicks can be traced back to movies like Animal House, Meatballs and Porky’s – none of them had any real plot to speak of, they were just an excuse for a bunch of actors and comedians to play around. The best known of these is probably Police Academy, but D.C. Cab predates Mahony and co by a whole year.

Featuring the eclectic cast including Bill Maher, Gary Busey, Adam Baldwin and Mr T, D.C. Cab was co-written and directed by Joel Schumacher, and could very easily be one of the most downright enjoyable films in his resumé. There is a little bit of a plot here, and even an exciting, action-packed finale (relatively speaking) but despite the boobs and swearies and N-words, the movie has an endearing innocence to it that I couldn’t help fall for. But here’s the litmus test: how do you feel about a man lighting up his living room fireplace with a war surplus flamethrower? If you answered “That’s the most awesome thing I’ve ever heard” then this is the movie for you.

There’s even a parade at the end! What’s not to love?!