Gung Ho

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes take on "Gung Ho", the workplace comedy that blends culture clash with 80s charm.

Both Mike Butler and Mike Field enjoy the film for its humor and overall fun factor, but they agree it comes with some noticeable issues. Michael Keaton carries the movie almost entirely on charisma and charm, as his character does not have a particularly strong arc and seems to change in the third act simply because the story demands it, rather than earning that growth.

The Mikes also take issue with George Wendt’s character, who comes off as one of the film’s true villains. He is consistently ungrateful and disruptive, yet faces no real consequences and does not learn any meaningful lesson by the end. In contrast, Kazihiro is a much more compelling character, someone you want to root for, though the film leaves a lot of his personal story unexplored, especially when it comes to his family and transition to life in the United States.

The ending is another sticking point. Instead of feeling earned, it leans on a convenient resolution where characters essentially pretend success into existence, rather than working toward a believable payoff. Still, the Mikes acknowledge that this may partly come down to modern expectations. Looking back at a film from a simpler era, where the focus was more on comedy than airtight storytelling, changes how it lands today.

Despite its flaws, "Gung Ho" remains an enjoyable and easy watch, driven by Keaton’s performance and a steady stream of laughs.

What's your favorite 80's workplace comedy?

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0:00 - Introduction

3:20 - Film Facts

13:38 - Film Discussion

36:09 - Reviews

38:20 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

30:56 - Why Is This Forgotten?

41:50 - Plugs

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