# The Out-of-Towners (1999 film)

The Out-of-Towners is a 1999 American comedy film starring Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn. It is a remake of the 1970 film of the same name written by Neil Simon and starring Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis.

## Plot

Henry and Nancy Clark are a couple living in a quiet Ohio town. Married for 27 years, their last child Alan has left home for Europe and Nancy is suffering from empty nest syndrome.
Unbeknownst to Nancy, Henry has lost his job due to corporate downsizing and has an interview in New York. She sneaks on the plane with him and they begin a disastrous series of misadventures.
Their plane is rerouted to Boston due to poor weather and their luggage is lost. They rent an overly expensive car after missing the train to NYC. They are mugged at gunpoint and their daughter Susan has used the only credit card Henry still had to the point where it has reached its limit.
The couple is thrown out of their hotel by the pompous manager Mersault. So, Nancy decides to find Susan at her apartment, but her untrusting neighbors run them off.
They duck into a church, inadvertently walking into a support group of Sexaholics Anonymous. Put on the spot to share, Nancy admits they have not had sex for months. When pressed for an explanation, Henry finally admits he got laid off, and the stress has taken his drive, which upsets her as they are keeping secrets from each other.
They return to the hotel in search for their bags, as Nancy remembers there are travelers' checks. With no bags yet, they sneak into a bar and she lets a man, Greg, hit on her to get his room key. Saying she will wait for him in his room while he is seeing a show for work, she and Henry order room service. Greg catches them, and calls the police.
Sneaking onto the balcony, they manage to slip onto the floor below, they see Mersault indulging in secretly cross dressing using guests' clothing. Forced to live by their wits on the street, the couple get into a cab which had been stolen by thieves. Then they jump from the moving car and find themselves in Central Park.
Becoming amorous, the couple are discovered and then chased by the mounted police. They end up falling asleep in a lean-to in the park. Early in the morning, as he is relieving himself, Henry is arrested for indecent exposure. Nancy blackmails Mersault into helping them.
In the end, Henry aces his job interview and he and Nancy begin a new life together in New York City. They take permanent residency at the hotel. They (as well as Mersault openly in full-drag) go to see their daughter perform on Broadway.

## Cast

* Steve Martin as Henry Clark
* Goldie Hawn as Nancy Clark
* Mark McKinney as Greg
* Oliver Hudson as Alan Clark
* John Cleese as Mr. Mersault
* Ernie Sabella as Getaway Driver

## Production

In December 1996, it was reported Paramount Pictures was in negotiations with Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn for a remake of The Out-of-Towners with the idea to do so originating from Robert Evans. Paramount had originally wanted screenwriter of the original, Neil Simon, to "contemporize" the material, however Marc Lawrence ultimately wrote the script. By September 1997, it was announced that Martin and Hawn had agreed to star in the film which was set for a January 1998 production start. Peter Segal had initially been hired as director, but due to "creative differences" Segal left the film and was replaced by Sam Weisman. The movie was shot on location in New York City and featured a cameo by then mayor Rudy Giuliani as himself.
Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn first worked together in Housesitter (1992).
Henry and Nancy Clark's son Alan is played by Goldie Hawn's real-life son, Oliver Hudson.
Much footage from the film was reportedly stolen, which resulted in many scenes having to be reshot.

## Reception

The Out-of-Towners was a disappointment critically and commercially. It has a 28% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website from 39 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Solid source material and a cast of talented comedians aren't enough to make The Out-of-Towners worth hosting on a screen of any size."
Roger Ebert commented that the movie "was not a proud moment in the often-inspired careers of Martin and Hawn." Most of the negative reviews point to Cleese as the only redeeming factor of the film.