Modern Problems

Modern Problems
Modern Problems DVD cover
Directed by	Ken Shapiro
Produced by	Alan Greisman Michael Shamberg
Written by	Ken Shapiro Tom Sherohman
Starring	Chevy Chase Patti D'Arbanville Dabney Coleman Mary Kay Place Nell Carter
Music by	Dominic Frontiere
Cinematography	Edmond L. Koons
Editing by	Michael Jablow
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date(s)	December 25, 1981
Running time	89 min.
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$26,154,211

Modern Problems is a 1981 comedy film written and directed by Ken Shapiro and starring Chevy Chase, Patti D'Arbanville and Dabney Coleman. The film grossed $26,154,211 in the United States. A DVD release of the film was issued in 2005.

Plot

Max Fiedler (Chevy Chase) is an air traffic controller whose life is slowly going down the drain. His girlfriend, Darcy (Patti D'Arbanville), has just left him because of his jealousy. Now, everywhere he goes he seems to run into her with another man, driving him nuts. One night while he's driving home from a party, a tanker truck spills nuclear waste onto his car and through his open sunroof, covering him with glowing green goo. The next day, he notices that he has developed telekinetic powers. With this newfound discovery, Max decides to put his powers to use by striking back at his tormentors to win back the love of Darcy.

He is asked to spend the weekend at the house of a paraplegic friend (Brian Doyle-Murray), who has also invited some other friends, including Max's ex-wife Lorraine (Mary Kay Place) as well as his ex-girlfriend, plus self-confidence author and womanizer Mark Winslow (Dabney Coleman) who has designs on Darcy. Winslow constantly demeans and derides Max, while trying to seduce Darcy (although his egomanical bragging and unabashed nudity just seems to alienate her).

Max gets his revenge by using his powers to humiliate his rival, meanwhile freaking out the other guests. Finally, he sees himself becoming a monster, and by a fortuitous stroke of lightning his powers are transferred to the voodoo-practicing maid (Nell Carter). Max's girlfriend forgives him and he realizes that she truly does love him.

Cast

• Chevy Chase as Max Fiedler
• Patti D'Arbanville as Darcy Carson
• Mary Kay Place as Lorraine
• Brian Doyle-Murray as Brian Stlls
• Nell Carter as Dorita
• Dabney Coleman as Mark Winslow
• Mitch Kreindel as Barry

See also

• List of American films of 1981

External links

• Modern Problems at the Internet Movie Database
• Modern Problems at AllRovi