"Frank McKlusky, C.I." Review

Sept. 26, 2002

For those viewers out there who adore Scott Baio, 1980s’ homages and gay jokes, Frank McKlusky, C.I. is the must-see movie of the year. Touchstone Home Entertainment’s foray into the slapstick world made popular by Ace Ventura, Pet Detective is mildly entertaining, if one doesn’t focus too intently on the plot, plausibility or thematic meaning. In summary: this flick is one of those treasured brainless romps into the world of stupid humor.

Dave Sheridan (the vacuum-loving Officer Doofy from Scary Movie) plays Frank McKlusky, a dedicated insurance claims investigator who attempts to right the wrongs of insurance fraud and nab two greedy lawyers in the process. But hampering his mission is his general klutziness, his need for "safety first" and his overprotective mother, who refuses to let Frank become a daredevil like his father, a stunt addict who botched a performance and wound up comatose.

As Frank works with his secretly gay partner (played by Kevin Farley, Chris Farley’s younger brother) to quash the criminal practices of these two law-snubbing lawyers, he learns that there’s life beyond safety helmets and multiple seat restraints.

Sheridan slides into the role as a poor man’s Jim Carrey, morphing his own elastic face into various expressions as he gets into one mess after another. Dolly Parton plays Mrs. McKlusky brilliantly, firing off classic one-liners that become some of the film’s highlights.

And, as in the tradition of many a Jim Carrey movies, Frank McKlusky, C.I. is littered with bathroom humor, off-color jokes and the obligatory adorable dog.

However, that is where the similarities end. Frank McKlusky C.I. has its moments of minor hysteria, but it never reaches the stupid humor hall of fame attained by other flicks in this genre, such as Dumb and Dumber or Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. I suppose what’s lacking here is the true Carrey factor, but I give director Arlene Sanford credit for running with the stupid humor thread and enjoying the cheap-laughs ride.

Yet this flick has a little treasured something that those "Ace Ventura" movies lack: endless homages to 1980s’ television. We’ve got Alf posters on the walls, Schneider outfits (circa "One Day at a Time"), Mr. T costumes and, of course, The Great Chachi himself, Mr. Baio.

I found this scavenger hunt of 80s’ icons and television has-beens to be the most entertaining part of the film. I mean, where else today can you find the Incredible Hulk hurling knives at an all-grown-up Webster (Emmanuel Lewis)? In fact, Frank McKlusky C.I. might find a new life for itself not solely as a movie video, but as a party game.

I can see it now: rent the movie, gather ‘round the table and race to see who can be the first to spot the leg warmers and "Charles In Charge" references. All we need now is some music from "Flashdance" and I think we’ve got something here.