Fire Sale
Benny and his wife Ruthie are getting set to drive down to Florida, but Benny needs someone to look after his department store while he's gone. Though he doesn't think much of him, Benny hands the responsibility over to his son, Russell. While Russell doesn't get much respect from his parents, he's better off than his brother, Ezra, whom Benny has gone so far as to disown. Ezra is currently battling with his work (coach of a high school basketball team that hasn't won in ages) and his wife (who keeps nagging him that she wants to have a baby as soon as possible) at the same time.
Insights
Plot Summary
An eccentric, aging inventor named Ezra Fambrough decides to stage his own 'fire sale' to get rid of his possessions and escape his family's expectations. He wants to leave his life behind and pursue his dreams, but his manipulative wife and spoiled children make it difficult to achieve his goal. The film follows his humorous and chaotic attempts to break free from his mundane existence.
Critical Reception
Fire Sale was met with a largely negative reception from critics and audiences. It is often considered one of Billy Wilder's least successful films, with many criticizing its weak script, unfocused plot, and uninspired performances. The film struggled commercially and is generally overlooked in Wilder's filmography.
What Reviewers Say
- A humorless and misguided attempt at dark comedy.
- Lacks the wit and sharp social commentary expected from Billy Wilder.
- Performances are often over-the-top and unconvincing.
Google audience: Audience reception data for 'Fire Sale (1977)' is not readily available on Google Reviews, making it difficult to summarize specific audience opinions.
Fun Fact
Billy Wilder famously regretted making 'Fire Sale', referring to it as 'my worst film' and often avoiding discussing it.
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