The Tall Guy (1989) is a romantic comedy written by Richard Curtis and directed by Mel Smith and produced by London Weekend Television, although initially for theatrical release. It starred Emma Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, and Rowan Atkinson. The most prominent song, "It Must Be Love", written by Labi Siffre, was performed by Madness.

The "tall guy" of the title is Dexter King (Goldblum), a moderately successful American actor living and working in London. His love life so far has been a disaster, but when he is being treated at a hospital for an allergy he gets to know, and falls in love with, Kate (Emma Thompson), who works there as a nurse.

Unemployed for some time, Dexter is given a major role in a new London musical about Joseph Merrick the Elephant Man, called Elephant (referencing David Lynch's film The Elephant Man), and the couple, who are already living together, are happy that the tough times are over. However, Dexter cannot resist the temptation and starts an affair with a married actress, Cheryl (Kim Thomson). Kate notices what is going on and leaves Dexter without further ado. In the end, however, the couple are reunited.

Atkinson plays Ron Anderson, a successful but irascible and selfish comedian who for some time employs Dexter as his straight man but fires him when he turns up late for a performance.

See also

A few years later, in the 1990s, Richard Curtis wrote two films whose plots are very similar to that of The Tall Guy but which became bigger successes: Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill.

External link

• IMDb entry on The Tall Guy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098436/)