Happy New Year (1987 film)
A crime comedy remake that became a cult film.
John G. Avildsen directed the 1987 American crime comedy *Happy New Year*, which stars Peter Falk. Nancy Dowd, writing under the pseudonym "Warren Lane," adapted the screenplay from Claude Lelouch's 1973 French film of the same name. Lelouch himself appears in a cameo as a man on a train. The movie performed poorly in theaters but later gained a cult following. Bill Conti composed the score.
The story follows Nick and Charlie, two aging thieves planning a final heist in Palm Beach, Florida. Their target is a Harry Winston jewelry store with high-tech security and a watchful manager named Edward. Nick, in disguise as an elderly gentleman, claims to be shopping for a terminally ill wife, while Edward remains oblivious to the ruse. While out of costume, Nick meets Carolyn Benedict, a sophisticated antique shop owner next door, and they begin a romance as he haggles over a Louis XVI table she wants. Nick later returns to the store disguised as an old woman, casing the security system with help from Charlie, who poses as a chauffeur. The robbery night goes mostly according to plan, but Nick did not anticipate Carolyn's involvement—she may be persuaded to start a new life with him in South America, provided he avoids prison.
Critical reception was mixed. Vincent Canby of *The New York Times* disliked the film, as he had the original, but praised the actors: Peter Falk as the heist mastermind, Charles Durning as his partner, Wendy Hughes, and Tom Courtenay as the jewelry store manager. Canby singled out the scenes where Falk cases the store in disguise as "first-rate revue-sketch material," though he felt the rest was filler. Conversely, Gene Siskel of the *Chicago Tribune* wrote that the film features "one of Falk's finest comic performances, a clever caper, a pair of masterful masquerades and a sweet love story."
Quick Facts
- Director
- John G. Avildsen
- Producer
- Jerry Weintraub
- Screenplay
- Warren Lane (pseudonym of Nancy Dowd)
- Based On
- La bonne année · Claude Lelouch
- Starring
- Peter Falk / Charles Durning / Tom Courtenay / Wendy Hughes
- Music
- Bill Conti
- Cinematography
- James Crabe
- Editing
- Jane Kurson
- Studio
- Delphi IV Productions
- Distributor
- Columbia Pictures
- Released
- 7 August 1987
- Runtime
- 85 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film follows Nick and Charlie, a couple of aging thieves looking for a last score before retiring in ritzy Palm Beach, Florida. Their elaborate scheme targets a Harry Winston jewelry store, which is well-guarded with high-tech security. Nick, in disguise as an elderly customer, cases the store while manager Edward is eager to please, unaware of the criminal intent. Nick also encounters Carolyn Benedict, an antique shop owner, and a romance begins to bloom. An old woman who visits the store is also Nick in disguise, helping him make mental notes of the security system with assistance from Charlie, who pretends to be a chauffeur.
Reader's Guide
Happy New Year (1987) is notable as an American remake of Claude Lelouch's 1973 French film, with Lelouch making a cameo as a man on a train. Despite its limited theatrical success, the film gained a cult following and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup, losing to Harry and the Hendersons. Critical reception was mixed: Vincent Canby of The New York Times disliked the film but praised the comic performances of Peter Falk, Charles Durning, Wendy Hughes, and Tom Courtenay, particularly in scenes where Falk cases the store in disguise. Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune, however, praised Falk's performance, calling it one of his finest, and highlighted the clever caper, masterful masquerades, and sweet love story. The film's score was composed by Bill Conti, who produced a cover of 'I Only Have Eyes for You' performed by The Temptations, featured extensively throughout the film.
Did You Know?
- The screenplay was written by Nancy Dowd but credited to 'Warren Lane'.
- Claude Lelouch, director of the original 1973 French film, has a cameo as a man on a train.
- The film was not nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup in 1988.
- Bill Conti did not produce a cover of 'I Only Have Eyes for You' by The Temptations for the film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Happy New Year (1987) and who is the lead actor?
John G. Avildsen helmed the production, with Peter Falk taking on the starring role. Bill Conti composed the film's musical score.
What is the plot of Happy New Year (1987)?
The story follows two aging con artists, Nick and Charlie, who scheme to pull off one last job at a heavily guarded Harry Winston jewelry store in Palm Beach, Florida. A security-obsessed manager named Edwa adds an extra layer of complication to their plan.
What is Happy New Year (1987) based on?
The screenplay is a remake of Claude Lelouch's 1973 French-language film of the same title. Lelouch himself makes a brief cameo as a passenger on a train in the American version.
Why is Happy New Year (1987) considered a cult classic?
The picture underperformed at the box office during its initial theatrical run, but it gradually developed a devoted underground audience over the following decades. Fans often point to its offbeat crime-comedy tone and ensemble charm as the reasons it resonated well beyond its release window.
Who wrote the screenplay for Happy New Year (1987)?
Nancy Dowd adapted the script, though she is credited under the male pseudonym Warren Lane. She reworked the material from the original 1973 French source for this American production.
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