Amazon.com: This underrated film by director Paul Mazursky stars Richard Dreyfuss as an underemployed actor who is offered a great acting role, though outside of New York. Still, beggars can't be choosers and he accepts--only to discover that the part involves impersonating the dictator of Parador, a troubled Central American country on the verge of revolution. The dictator has died, but his chief adviser (Raul Julia) doesn't want that news to come out; he'd rather continue the charade that the big guy is still in charge. And to his surprise, the actor discovers that he enjoys the acting challenge, until he figures out that Julia is positioning himself to take over as the country's true strongman. Naturally, Dreyfuss also discovers that, aside from enjoying the perks of power (including the late dictator's toothsome mistress, Sonia Braga), he actually has the power to do some good--to Julia's chagrin. Dreyfuss captures the actor's insecurity, while Julia is hilarious as the wild-eyed adviser to whom torture is second nature. --Marshall Fine
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Waning MOON
Twenty years ago, at the time MOON OVER PARADOR was released, my then wife and I were subletting a room to a female graduate student who had spent a lot of time in South America. Well, she caught this film--which was admittedly not high on my list at the time--and came home spouting her indignation over its "stereotypical treatment" of Latin Americans and cliche notions of South American politics. My reaction: Hmm, probably right, but still sort of a tempest in teapot.
I suppose the reason that it sticks in my memory is that she brought it up more than once. Had it been a film ... Read More
Rating: - Snore
I rec'd two copies of this movie for some reason. Will give one to a friend rather than pay shipping and handling to return it to you.
Moon Over Parador was my husbands choice, he had seen it a very long time ago and thought it was funny. We tried to watch it all the way through, but it was a bore.
Rating: - after one month no product
Ordered Moon over Parador on April 20 - it s now May 23 and I still haven't received it.
Rating: - Interesting film!
This is an interesting film,I have to admit. An actor playing an actor and filling in for a identical-looking figure who had become terminally ill and/or passed away. That's exactly what Richard Dreyfuss did in this film. Here's who else did the same:Michael J. Fox playing an actor in THE HARD WAY,a Universal property like this film and Ted Danson playing an actor in THREE MEN AND A BABY and THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LADY. Kevin Kline filled in for an identical-looking figure in DAVE. Anyway,in this film,Dreyfuss is actor Jack Noah who films a movie in Parador about the life of a dictator(technically,Dreyfuss ... Read More
Rating: - good entertainment
this movie is very funny and entertaining. Richard Dreyfus is an excellent actor and does a fine job of impersonation. Definitely worth seeing over and over.
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