Quackser Fortune Has A Cousin In The Bronx (DVD)

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---

A few reviews ago, I mentioned my amusement with the title "Quackser Fortune Has A Cousin In The Bronx." I saw this in a preview on one of the previous VCI Home Video discs I had reviewed. Low and behold, the kind folks at VCI saw fit to send me a copy of "Quackser Fortune Has A Cousin In The Bronx." After watching the preview about a man who collects horse manure and with a title like "Quackser Fortune Has A Cousin In The Bronx," how could I not review this title?

After all my hype and anticipation, I finally got time to fit this title into my schedule. Let´s just say that I was not disappointed in the least with the film. "Quackser Fortune" is one of the most original romantic comedies I can ever remember seeing. From its long and interesting title to its intriguing premise that has Gene Wilder collecting dung for a living, this title was a fresh breath of air in the DVD jungle. The first half of the film had some absolutely side-splitting moments. Things slowed down and went more for the serious side of things, but the story never stopped being amusing.

In "Quackser Fortune," well-loved actor Gene Wilder plays Quackser. His day consists of pushing a cart around town and collecting horse manure created by the beasts that deliver milk in Dublin. Sometimes, he takes a break to engage in routine sex with Betsy Bourke (Eileen Colgan). Quackser´s folks are always on his case about getting a routine job. It has been in the newspapers that the horses will soon be replaced with trucks and that would spell unemployment for Irish lad Quackser. His dad could get him a job in a heartbeat, but Quackser refuses to accept.

Just prior to the horses being shipped off to the glue factory, prior meets an American student named Zazel (Margot Kidder). Their first encounter saw Zazel nearly run him over with her car. This resulted in cart repairs for Quackser and an even stronger distaste in the automobile. Their second meeting saw Zazel on horseback and she delivered an apology to Quackser. This led to Zazel and Quackser agreeing on meeting at the local theater. She stand´s poor Quackser up on their date, but manages to apologize. The two find they enjoy each other´s company and begin to fall into a romantic relationship.

Soon, the entire world collapses around Quackser. Zazel invites him to a formal function at her school. Quackser goes to the local farmer´s market and buys a tux for a few dollars and rides off on his trusty bike to see her. When he arrives, he discovers that Zazel has a boyfriend. The night ends with Zazel and Quackser sharing an intimate night in a hotel room. When he awakens, she is gone. Zazel is on her way to America, and he will never see her again.

Not only is Quackser out of a girlfriend, but he no longer has a job. Just before the dance, the horses were replaced and Quackser agreed to go to work with his father. On the first day of the job, Quackser was unable to get past the venomous timeclock that would have most surely spelt doom. With both the horses and Zazel gone, Quackser agrees to go see a family member who lives in America. He will go live with his cousin in the Bronx. When he tries to contact his cousin, he realizes the cousin is deceased. Quackser just cannot win. And, Quackser Fortune no longer has a cousin in the Bronx.

This really is an enjoyable film, with splendid performances from everybody. Quackser is played wonderfully by the quirky Wilder. Margot Kidder represented the stereotypical American girl of 1970. She is able to convey both the innocence and sexual aggressiveness that her character demands. There are times when the Irish extras are a tad difficult to fully comprehend. The locals that Quackser deals with in daily life are perfectly cast.