Robert Beltran | Films | Eating Raoul

line

Rate this film: (1=avoid it, 10=adore it!)

Average score to date: 8.21

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

line

Reviewed by Teri:

line

Mary Bland - Mary Woronov
Paul Bland - Paul Bartel
Raoul - Robert Beltran

line

Synopsis

Mary Bland is a nurse in a tight uniform. Husband Paul is a wine store clerk. They have big dreams of opening a restaurant but no money. Mary and Paul seem to be the only repressed people in an LA filled with sex-starved maniacs.

film still Paul stumbles into a "swingers" party in their apartment building and a party-goer stumbles into Mary in their apartment. Paul on coming home, accidentally kills the guy with a cast iron frying pan. He has a lot of money in his pockets (and besides he was a pervert), so they dispose of the body and keep the cash.

Paul was given a business card by a dominatrix at the party and this ends up in Mary's purse. One of Mary's patients discovers it and shows up at their apartment. Suddenly there are two bodies (and another wad of cash). They decide to go into business and get advice from the Dominatrix. It's easy to lure the folks in and Paul's trusty frying pan takes care of the rest.

Raoul the locksmith, meanwhile, has a racket of his own. He puts in locks, then robs the house. But on his midnight raid of the Bland residence, he discovers a few secrets. He offers them a service - give him the bodies to dispose of and he'll take care of the rest. He has a place to get rid of the corpses and the profit margin goes up.

film still A slight time-management mistake results in Raoul having to rescue Mary from one of her customers (Ed Begley Jr). Raoul introduces Mary to funny cigarettes and pleasures of a different kind. Paul starts to get jealous of Raoul. Raoul starts to think Paul is becoming a liability.

With the help of the Dominatrix, Paul tries to scare Raoul off but it's not working. Raoul shows up with a gun and wants Mary to get him the frying pan. Mary stands by her man and *really* gives Raoul the pan.

Since the trash compactor's busted and guests are arriving, they have to find a creative way to dispose of Raoul. Do you suppose he'd go better with a Chablis or a Beaujolais?

Review

You're either gonna love this film or hate it. It is satire extraordinaire. It is so bizarre ya just gotta laugh (or so the director would hope). I don't like Mary Woronov. Sorry, but I just don't.

For me, the really great moments in this flick come from some of the minor characters and small moments.

Paul's boss at the beginning shoots a robber with casual disregard. For some reason, this struck me funny. I don't know if it was his delivery, or what, but I howled. (I know, I'm a sick puppy).

film still Raoul (RB) as he was checking out the Bland apartment and making security recommendations. He's so obvious and they're so oblivious. Well done.

Robert delivers a great line a little later.
"I'm a Fxxxxxg professional thief, I'm not gonna call the cops."
Again, I don't know why, but I just thought the *way* he said this was priceless. Not to mention the notorious half-grin that went along with it. :-)

The Dominatrix darn near stole the show. The whole bit at her home with the baby, casually discussing her "business" was just tooooo much. Also, near the end, where she's helping Paul to scare off Raoul. The nun disguise was inspired, the swingers party was a howl (the giggling voyeur in the fur killed me).

The hot tub full of party-goers falling over like wilted lilies was fabulous, worth the price of admission for that little piece of choreography alone.

Least likeable moments: space Drunk puking in the living room - a gross factor of 9/10.
space RBs declaration of love/devotion in the examination room - admittedly he was looking good at the time, but WHY would he give a hoot about Mary. True, they had sex while under the influence of a joint but that hardly seems the basis for a meaningful relationship. (Once again, caught looking for logic in all the wrong places - sigh).
space Mary's uniform - Puhhhleaaasssssse!!!!!!!!!!!!
space Every shot involving that ridiculous looking cigarette. He holds it like a joint (OK there is a continuity link in that) but it just looks very awkward.

Now on the RB lust scale, I must say this one rates right up there. We have naked chest shots, tight pant shots, sex scenes, cute suspenders, great hair and dimples.

A cult classic and a must for every true RB fan. Give it a 4*. (Axe the cigarette and the uniform and I'd give a 5*).

line

Review by Teri

Buy the video at Amazon UK or Amazon.com

More information at The Movie Database

Add your own review of this film:

Reviews:

line

Name: AnitaLife
E-mail: betsybird27@hotmail.com
Review:

Raoul: "Do You want me to take my shirt off?" --Yes. Raoul: "Do you want me to take my pants off?" --Is this a trick question? Very cute cult film. I love bad boys and RB's playing bad. It's silly and fun and very much a product of its time. Just take it for what it is, enjoy and enjoy the view.
Name: Jennifer
E-mail: hilariousone2000@yahoo.com
Review:

I liked this movie. I'll have to admit, though, that the first time I saw it I didn't particularly care for it that much. Then I saw it again and thought it was kind of funny. But the only reason I saw it was because RB was in it. I about FAINTED when he took his shirt off!!
Name: Cheryl Dover
E-mail: Dover_Cheryl02@hotmail.com
Review:

I've just brought this on dvd it wasn't all that funny to me, found it quiet silly, but it was well worth paying for it just to see robert beltran in it and his bod :p
Name: Jessica
E-mail: ghanami_jmw@yahoo.com
Review:

This is the first RB film I ever saw. I loved it! It is a cult film, but I think it is a definite must see for RB fans.
Name: Steffi
E-mail: Ateffy@gmx.de
Review:

I just love this movie. It�s funny and the last sentence sent me laughing to the floor. Robert Beltran looks very young and very great in this movie. My tip, get it!
Name: Moira Giddings
E-mail: GIDDI11@hotmail.com
Review:

What a film, kept smiling and laughing to myself for days afterwards. Great to see another side to Robert, his acting has gone from strength to strength in the intervening years. Hope the film companies see the 'light' and re-release more of his earlier films.
Name: Angela Cox
E-mail: beltranangel@yahoo.co.uk
Review:

As Katane says GET THIS FILM!!!! It is available new ,I am sure the neighbours thought we had got a pig I snorted so much...not to say it is not very moving.I wanted so much to fly back in time and take little Raoul to an art gallery,when Doris calls him a name I would rather not repeat it hurts ...when his manhood is threatened you want to hug him so bad......I know hes a bad vato but when he dies its hard to take....my husband can never resist making the sound of a frying-pan hitting head when he goes in the kitchen...the humour willl stay with you and you will find yourself laughing out loud at the memories....what a gem especially for those of us who suffered the greed of the Thatcher years.Angie
Name: Katane
E-mail: katane@chantico.com
Review:

Definitely a cult film - and priceless; run, don't walk, to get a copy.
line