It’s difficult to find much fault with a film containing such likable performances.
The Frisco Kid tells the story of Avram Belinski, a Polish rabbi dispatched to a synagogue in San Francisco. He encounters a series of misadventures shortly after his boat lands in Philadelphia. After he loses his money to a trio of con men, Avram meets Tommy Lillard, a bank robber. The kindhearted rabbi and the rough-around-the-edges thief form an unexpected but endearing friendship as they make their way across the country on horseback.
Being that it’s a comedic western starring Gene Wilder, I’m sure some 1979 audiences expected a Blazing Saddles-type spoof. Here, though, Robert Aldrich — in the twilight of his long career — is behind the camera rather than Mel Brooks. The Frisco Kid has a few vulgarities but it’s much gentler and more heartfelt than Brooks’ boundary-smashing masterpiece. Wilder’s performance as Avram ranks among his best work as an actor. Whatever troubles Aldrich may have had piecing together a coherent tone for the movie, he excelled at getting magnificent work out of Wilder.
Harrison Ford, fresh from his breakout role in Star Wars, provides a surprisingly solid compadre for Wilder. Ford and Wilder’s chemistry brings out the best in each other’s characters. Tommy’s fiery temper balances Avram’s relative calm and awkward naiveté. Thankfully, the script avoids any temptation to have Tommy mock Avram’s beliefs. He may question them to the point of incredulity, but he never attacks Avram for them. The script doesn’t hesitate to mine these situations for humor though. Sometimes it works. Sometimes not.
But that questioning of and learning from different cultures is central to the plot of The Frisco Kid. Buried beneath the uneven slapstick and comedic misfires lies a genuinely charming message of acceptance. Whether it’s Native Americans, Monastics, Christians, or the Amish, each represented culture learns a little from Avram. And vice versa. There may be ethnic comedy here but it’s never mean-spirited as so much of that type of humor can be.
Although Aldrich and screenwriters Michael Elias and Frank Shaw never find a consistent comedic tone, The Frisco Kid still manages to elicit some mild chuckles now and again. It’s difficult to find much fault with a film containing such likable performances. A mild recommendation for those interested in seeing some of Gene Wilder’s best work.
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
