Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Micah Lloyd Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Leoni Haney Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

BatBanks Smith Robert Downey Jr. (In his first starring role) as womanizer elementary school gym teacher who meet his match with the lovely Molly Ringwald who's museum guide and tried to save her alcoholic father (Dennis Hopper) from mob (Harvey Keitel) who own them debt.The movie has weak storyline, it not hitting. Robert and Molly chemistry is okay but they deserves a better movie than this. It plays a lot of oldies music and feature familiar faces. I think you rather skip this movie and watch any good rom-comedy. Watch for Vanessa Williams at the beginning as one the woman that Downey Jr. tried to hit on while she walking with her dog named Caligula (!!!).

MisterWhiplash What people were expecting from The Pick-up Artist I'm not sure. It is not a terribly original film, despite what personal attachment James Toback brings to the material as a filmmaker (it's been said he was basically writing Jack on his own experiences picking up girls), but it does work as entertainment within its parameters. We want to see this Jack Jericho, a lady's man who will go after any girl that's on the street or walking out of a shop, wise up and we know that he will when he finds the girl who will meet his match by not giving her number to him. This happens with Randy, who 'hooks up' with him but leaves it at that ("The phone number would mean the future," she says), and it just eggs him on to go after her - which is trouble, since she's in one of those I-owe-the-mob-such-and-such-money situations, which Jack rises to the occasion.If you have seen one you may have seen another, or another. It's part screwball farce and part a on-the-surface 80's John Hughes teen comedy (how old Jack is is hard to say, though likely not much older than nineteen year old Randy), but there's something else that makes it interesting. The way Toback shoots and writes the movie, one might think some of the moves and mannerisms, and how he moves and is seen in New York City, may resemble a Woody Allen movie, or, to be further with a comparison, a French New Wave movie (look at Robert Downey Jr and tell me Jack Jericho couldn't be played by Jean-Paul Belmondo circa 1960). It's writing is based on formula- we know how Randy's conflict will be resolved, if not quite how Jack and Randy will turn out together- but it's sharp dialog and some actual wit, lines that let us know these characters are thinking and on their toes, that rises above the expectation.Another thing is Downey Jr. Like with Toback's 1997 film Two Girls and a Guy, he adds another notch to the material as a likable sleaze (this time more likable than in 'Two Girls', after all in this film Jack lives and takes care with his grandmother). He isn't just another cocky ass, but a determined player who is given humanity and depth by RDJ. Ringwald fares almost as well, though it's hard to say if even at her best she's anywhere near the power of her male co-star; mostly she just reacts to things he says, or at one point does have a convincing crying fit after losing some money. Other supporting actors like Harvey Keitel, Dennis Hopper and Danny Aiello are wonderful to see, even if they're given characters that have a lot less depth than Jack and Randy. They're mostly set-pieces in the plot, but at least the actors have fun playing hard-nosed-mobster/drunk/concerned-friend respectively.This isn't a romantic comedy to rush out to see, and it certainly isn't anywhere in a high pantheon of screwball farces or in league with his New-Wave influences. But it's a short trip that hasn't aged too badly thanks to the on-screen charisma of its leads and some nifty 60's rock music put to the scenes. It's almost, dare I say it, underrated in Toback's oeuvre.

Lucien Lessard A compulsive young womanizer by the name of Jack Jericho (Robert Downey, Jr.) falls in love with a young woman (Molly Ringwald) but this woman, he falls in love with is in trouble with a low-life gangster (Harvey Keitel). Which her alcoholic father (Dennis Hopper) needs to pay the gangster over $25,000 back. Now Jack will do anything to help this true love, when the gangster desperately wants his money back.Wirtten and Directed by James Toback (Black & White, Two Girls and a Guy, When Will I Be Loved) made an light-hearted romantic comedy with good performances by Downey, Jr. and Ringwald. Although the film is modestly fast-paced, the movie has an short running time. "The Pick-up Artist" has somewhat of an cult following.DVD has an good anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an fine Dolby Surround 2.0 Sound. DVD's only extra is the original theatrical trailer. The film is somewhat notable for the many familiar actors in supporting or bit parts like Danny Aiello, Victoria Jackson, the late Joe Spinell and more. "The Pick-up Artist" is probably forgotten by now but it is certainly worth a look for Downey, Jr. extremely likable and winning performance. (****/*****).

ProofUndeniable I can very vaguely remember some talk about this movie when it first came out in theaters. None of it was good, so I wasn't really expecting much when I watched it for the first time recently. And I didn't really get much. It's hard to put your finger on what exactly is wrong with this movie, though one might suspect it has something to do with the ridiculous storyline involving Randy's(Ringwald)alcoholic, gambling addicted father. The plot involving Jack(Downey)struggling with his womanizing ways after meeting the girl of his dreams could have been achieved without a convoluted plotline like what's provided. This isn't Ringwald's best effort, though she's decent enough and makes do with what she's given. Downey's performance is not pleasant to watch. While I suspect his character was supposed to come across as sweetly charming, I perceived him as manically sleazy. Watch if you're a fan of one of the actors, otherwise save yourself the time and energy.