For Better or Worse (film)

For Better or Worse is a 1995 American comedy-drama film written by Jeff Nathanson and directed by Jason Alexander, who stars alongside Lolita Davidovich and James Woods. The film was given a limited theatrical release, and aired on TNT in 1996.

Plot
Michael Makeshift is a schnook who can't get over the fact his girlfriend dumped him. To make matters worse, his landlord is beginning to bug him for long-overdue rent. Things for Michael's brother Reggie are much better. He is planning to rob the credit union where his own mother works. His new wife Valerie has no idea what Reggie is planning and is therefore puzzled when she awakes at Michael's apartment after Reggie left her there whilst she was drunk and unconscious. She also does not know that Reggie has paid Michael for the favor. Despite his well-laid plans, things go badly for Reggie when his henchmen mutiny and force him to reveal that the clueless Valerie carries the security codes they need to pull off the job in her suitcase, which in turn begins a merry chase. While Michael helps Valerie escape, he reveals the truth about Reggie. At the same time, she becomes increasingly attracted to her new protector.

Cast

 * Jason Alexander as Michael Makeshift
 * Lolita Davidovich as Valeri Carboni
 * James Woods as Reggie Makeshift
 * Joe Mantegna as Stone
 * Jay Mohr as Dwayne
 * Robert Costanzo as Ranzier
 * Bea Arthur as Beverly Makeshift
 * Eda Reiss Merin as Rose
 * John Amos as Gray
 * Rob Reiner as Dr. Plosner
 * Haley Joel Osment as Danny
 * Tiffany Salerno as Cindy
 * Beau Gravitte as Bob
 * Una Damon as the Bartender
 * Jerry Adler as Morton Makeshift
 * Rip Torn as Captain Cole
 * Steven Wright as Cabbie

Production
An early title for the film was Stranger Things. The film's credits nickname all the crew involved in the film's score as Bob.

Box office
The film was first shown in America on March 19, 1995, and in the UK on 29 December 1995. On 1 April 1997, the film premiered in Italy and in Hungary too on 20 May 1997. In Sweden, the film first received a TV premier on 1 August 2004. The film grossed $25,912 on its opening weekend in America across 24 screens before totaling $40,622 by the end of March.

Critical reception
Iotis Erlewine of Allmovie gave the film two out of five stars. Both Video Movie Guide 2002 and Video Source Book gave the film two out of five stars as well.

In 2004, Vince Leo of Qwipster.net gave an unfavorable review, stating: "Not exactly the directorial debut that 'Seinfeld' favorite Jason Alexander would have hoped for, 'For Better or Worse' is little more than a ninety-minute collection of strained situations and unfunny moments. The problems start early, as it is just a bad idea for a romantic comedy to begin with, and it certainly doesn't help that Jeff Nathanson can't inject anything fresh into it. 'For Better or Worse' isn't devoid of comedy, as it did occasionally make me chuckle, but not nearly enough as it made me annoyed. 'For Better or Worse' is a rhetorical proposition, as all Alexander delivers is worse and worse. Unless you find him completely irresistible, there's not much going for this inept misfire."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reviewed the film upon release, giving a rating of two and a half stars out of four, noting: "Exceedingly strange comedy wavers between hilarity and "huh?". 'For Better or Worse' just strange enough for cable."

St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN) gave the film an unfavorable review upon release, stating: "Oh, that Jason Alexander is a crafty one. Last summer, director Rob Reiner cast him in one of the year's lousiest movies. For months, Alexander has been biding his time, but now he has his revenge: He's given Reiner a cameo in an even worse movie."

Home media
Following its release, For Better or Worse remained out-of-print and only available on VHS, although, in recent years, it is available as a download via iTunes and on Amazon via Instant Video. In 1996, Home Video Hellas released the film on VHS in Greece, whilst LK-TEL Vídeo released it on the same format in Brazil. In 1999, Turner Home Entertainment released the film in America on VHS. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the film in the UK in 1999, where it featured slightly different artwork to the American release.