Product Description

Cruise back to Baltimore 1963, to the time and turf of a rare American breed: the "tin man" (aluminum siding salesman). Two less-than-honest rivals in the tin game (Richard Dreyfuss and Danny DeVito) meet in a fender bender, but their bruised egos and quick tempers turn the minor accident into a major vendetta against each other's symbols of success -- their prized Cadillacs. In what would seem to be a coup de grace, Dreyfuss decides to seduce DeVito's neglected wife (Barbara Hershey), but this romantic maneuver causes nonstop twists and turns to both the heart and the funnybone. With a supporting cast that's absolutely classic and music by The Fine Young Cannibals, TIN MEN sounds as good as it looks!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11732 in DVD
• Brand: Disney
• Released on: 2002-04-02
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 108 minutes

Amazon.com
Tin Men, the second in Barry Levinson's ongoing film series about his native Baltimore in the 1950s and '60s, focuses on a pair of competing aluminum-siding salesman at a point when the industry was loaded with scam artists. Richard Dreyfuss and Danny DeVito play rivals who get involved in a fender-bender that quickly escalates from a minor argument into an all-out war, as they begin pulling practical jokes on each other. Dreyfuss takes it too far, however, when he sets out to seduce DeVito's unhappy wife (Barbara Hershey) and winds up falling in love with her. Much of the humor here comes from Levinson's keen ear as writer and director for the way these people talk--and what they talk about (like the discussion of why four men are living together without women on the Ponderosa in Bonanza). Beside the leads, the cast includes a great host of character actors, including Jackie Gayle, Bruno Kirby, John Mahoney, and J.T. Walsh. Others in Levinson's body of Baltimore films are Diner, Avalon, and the most recent, Liberty Heights. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Hey Hon, Here's a Great Movie From Bal'mr
For many years, I was outraged that this classic entry in director, Barry Levinson's Baltimore series of films, was out of print.Well I'm glad to report that this hilarious, nostalgic comedy has been brought to light in the DVD format.The film takes place in Baltimore, (Circa 1963), where we are introduced to the world of the 'Tin Men'. These are notorius, aluminum siding salesmen, who will use any con or scheme to get customers to sign on the dotted line of a contract. We are intoduced to two such 'tin men'(wonderfully played by Richard Dreyfuss and Danny DeVito) when they both accidentally hit each other in their Cadillacs. From then on a war of words and pranks begins. This escalates to the point that the Dreyfuss character has an affair with DeVito's wife (well played by Barbra Hershey). Eventually the affair, which started out as a form of revenge, blossoms into love.While this film is very funny it plays out against a melancholic background, because the story gives you the feeling, that the days of the 'tin men' have come and gone.Their livelyhood's days are numbered and in order for these men to survive they will have to move on.The acting in this movie is great.All three lead actors in this film (Dreyfuss, DeVito, Hershey)play their roles to perfection.This is an ensemble that really works. Barry Levinson has written and directed a story that is both humorus and touching.We really care about these characters.The dialogue is also first rate. In the tradition of the other Baltimore films, many of the characters have hilarious conversations about the smallest details in life.My personal favorite scene is when one of the salesmen obsessively keeps going on and on about how unrealistic the TV show 'Bonanza' is ("Who ever heard of a 50 year old guy with three 47 year old sons?").The DVD to this film is clear and crisp. It has trailers, deleted scenes, and a wonderful commentary track which includes Levinson and many of the priciple players.All in all this is a great movie, where the writing,directing,acting all gel together to make marvelous entertainment.Get this DVD!

why?
Why this hasn't been re-released on dvd is beyond my comprehension. This was truly one of the best comedies I've seen and I watch my copy on VHS sparingly as the quality of the print is degraded with use. If they don't come out with a dvd print I am afraid I'll be forced to look for a bootleg copy.

"Hold on, I'll check my notebook"
After a minor fender bender and a heated argument, two men become locked in a battle of 'one upping' each other in a quest for revenge. Written and directed by Barry Levinson (Diner, Avalon, Rain Man, Wag the Dog), Tin Men stars Richard Dreyfuss as Bill "BB" Babowsky and Danny DeVito as Ernest Tilley.

Set around 1962, the title, Tin Men, refers to aluminum siding salesmen. This is the profession of both BB and Tiley, although they work for rival companies. Throughout the movie, we are treated to different shady tactics employed by these salesmen to peddle their wares. A wonderfully funny movie, Dreyfuss and DeVito play their parts so well, taking two fairly unscrupulous characters and making them somewhat likable. They are supported by an excellent cast including Barbara Hersey as Tilley's wife, John Mahoney, Jackie Gayle, Seymour Cassel, and Bruno Kirby.

The main crux of the movie revolves around BB and Tilley going back and forth, supported by subplots involving a failing marriage, an investigation by a governmental agency into improper business tactics, and a budding romance. The film did slow down a little near the end in tying up the various plot threads, but that mattered little to me, as it's a treat to see so much talent properly utilized. The casting is dead on, the dialog truly quotable and seemingly appropriate for the time, and the direction very professional. The musical score was well chosen, but I did wonder about the use of the band Fine Young Cannibals. Their signature song, Good Thing, fit the scene it was in nicely, but I've always had a bit of an issue with the use of contemporary music in movies set in the past. I'd rather see music of the period incorporated, with credit going to the artists of the time.

The movie is presented in wide screen, and extras include a trailer, a deleted scene, and a commentary with most all major contributors to this movie, except Danny DeVito. I haven't had a chance to listen to the commentary, but given the people involved, I'll venture to bet it's pretty entertaining and informative.