Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

The Wrong Guy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 11, 2017

After achieve fame as part of the sketch comedy group The Kids in the Hall, actor Dave Foley tries on leading man moves with “The Wrong Guy.” He’s not exactly testing his thespian skills in the 1997 effort, but Foley is permitted a frame all to himself, playing a man on the run in this Hitchcockian comedy, primarily in charge of depicting hysterics and executing straight man reactions to the weirdness and extremity the screenplay (written by Foley, Dave Higgins, and Jay Kogen) has to offer. “The Wrong Guy” is silly endeavor, and a consistent one under the guidance of director David Steinberg, who packs a surprising amount of sight gags and goofiness into the picture, while Foley remains in command of reactions, adding his special sense of humor to the mix while running all over the frame.

A businessman preparing for the promotion of a lifetime, Nelson (Dave Foley) is destroyed when he’s passed over for the job. Returning later in the day to confront his boss, Nelson discovers the dead body of his superior, making a mess of the crime scene while the real Killer (Colm Feore) gets away in secret. Fearing he will be put in jail for a crime he did not commit, Nelson makes a plan to escape to Mexico and sort out his innocence. However, the journey south proves to be impossible, actually running into the Killer on several occasions while trying to avoid police interests from Detective Arlen (David Anthony Higgins), who’d rather be anywhere else but on the job. Finding help from narcoleptic farm girl Lynn (Jennifer Tilly), Nelson tries to make sense of a bad situation, fearing those actually hunting for the Killer are gunning for him.

“The Wrong Guy” is a farce, and one that’s mindful of its influences. The picture opens with a parody of Saul Bass-style title sequences, launching what initially appears to be a parody, but eventually reveals itself to be a valentine. Nelson is the everyman thrust into an awful situation, feeling the burn when his dreams of becoming boss are dashed in an instant, leaving him angry about all the work he put into sucking up, only to get nowhere. Finally ready to talk peacefully to his superior and work things out after an initial outburst, and Nelson finds the man with a knife in his neck, with blood everywhere. The moment of discovery is the first indicator that “The Wrong Man” isn’t trying to take itself seriously, watching Nelson emit a high-pitched scream (a running gag in the effort has everyone believing Nelson to be a woman due to his wail) and pull out the knife, only to try and reinsert the blade into the wound when he realizes the gravity of the situation. Just like Hitchcock’s leading men, most notably Cary Grant, Nelson is soon on the run, assuming that everyone is after him for a crime he didn’t commit.

Of course, nobody is after Nelson. The comedy in “The Wrong Man” comes from this mistaken belief, with the cops well aware of the Killer’s identity, only to have both men headed in the same direction, ending up alongside each other on the road and inside a hotel (the property manager is played by Kids in the Hall member Kevin McDonald). The mistaken identity concept is milked in full by the screenplay, which enjoys the comedic confusion caused by Nelson’s disconnect from the actual manhunt. Adding to the insanity is Detective Arlen, who tries to use the investigation to cover for his own interests in expensive dinners and strip clubs, leaving the capture of the Killer a low priority. And Steinberg amps up the action with John Woo-style shootouts, keeping the antagonist an unstoppable war machine, which adds to the smallness of Nelson, who has no survival skills whatsoever, happily feasting on anything he finds in the woods, or gorging on tainted ham inside a boxcar.

The Wrong Guy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is an adequate but aged look at "The Wrong Guy." It's not a fresh scan, but clarity is acceptable, with the brightly shot picture offering mild detail with costuming, locations, and facial particulars, while sight gags are textured enough to retain their intended impact. A mid-movie sight gag involving Tilly in a sheer nightgown remains intact. Distances are preserved. Primaries are secure, with blood reds and office blues, and greenery is vivid as the action enters the Midwest, visiting grassy hills and corn fields. Skintones are natural. Delineation is adequate. Source doesn't encounter any major points of damage.

The Wrong Guy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a crisp, clear listening experience that emphasizes dialogue exchanges, making comedic intent understood. Timing is defined and hysterics balanced, never slipping into distortive extremes. Scoring is supportive, with pleasing instrumentation to isolate string- based thriller escalation. Atmospherics are engaging, and sound effects retain their broad appeal.

The Wrong Guy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director David Steinberg, actor/co-writer Dave Foley, actor/co-writer David Higgins, and actor/co- writer Jay Kogen.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:35, SD) is included.

The Wrong Guy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Wrong Guy" sustains nuttiness for most of the run time, with Foley a capable lead, unafraid to make a mess of himself for the betterment of the film. It's an inspired performance, and he's backed by a game cast, with Higgins scoring laughs as Detective Arlen slowly loses interest in the case, while Tilly is amusing as a kindly woman who happens to fall asleep without warning, often while driving. Steinberg isn't completely capable of stretching the premise to fill 90 minutes, resulting in a few dead spots, but imagination is found throughout, including a climax set at a mini-golf course that's decorated with national monuments, permitting a wackier version of a Hitchcock closer. "The Wrong Guy" surprises with its commitment to slapstick, with the picture a charmingly broad creation that makes the most of Foley's gifts, dusted with some Kids in the Hall-style ideas to keep the alt-comedy crowd interested.