by Hal Erickson
synopsis
This German film tells a purely about Ruby Dennis (Joe Pesci , a Jewish bowling alley/nightclub manager in New Jersey. Despite his tacky surroundings, Ruby convinces himself that he's just about to hit the big time in Las Vegas. It takes him 100 minutes to realize that he's never going to be any better off than he is now. Just tap your bowling shoes together three times and say, "There's no place like Jersey." Tony Martin shows up in the film's highlight, a dream sequence in which a handful of songs co-written by star Pesci are featured. Dear Mr. Wonderful was released to video as Ruby's Dream.
characteristics
- Only Human
- Down On Their Luck
- Small-Town Life
- Owner
- Working-class
- Nightclub
- Understanding
- Self-discovery
- Songwriter
- Manager
- Songwriting
- Judaism
- Cabaret
- Bowling
- American-dream
