Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx

1970 "Happiness is a Quackser Fortune!"
6.5| 1h30m| PG| en
Details

In Dublin, a working class family has been unsuccessful in convincing their son to get a real job: the son prefers his job of scooping up horse's dung and selling it for flower gardens. An American exchange student almost runs him over and gets to know him. The dung man has ignored warnings from his family and suddenly the horses have been banned from Dublin. His new love is leaving for America and he must find a way to cope with the new reality.

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UMC Pictures

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Reviews

MoPoshy Absolutely brilliant
Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.
Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
oOoBarracuda Gene Wilder went full Irish in 1970 with the release of Waris Hussein's feature Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx. Despite its long seemingly absurd name, the film packs quite a punch of commentary on social issues that resonate today, nearly 50 years after its release. The story of a humble man who must fall in love to inspire him to experience the world is one that any audience can relate to. We all start out as trailblazers, never bending to the wills of society, and if we have fortunate, we stay that way.Quackser (Aloysius) Fortune (Gene Wilder) has an unusual job around his Dublin home. He follows the horses that make deliveries around the city, collecting their manure and selling it to the housewives in the village. One day on his ride around collecting, he is nearly trampled by an American student studying at the prestigious Trinity College in Dublin. After she apologizes and the two go on their way, the student, Zazel (Margot Kidder) tracks Quackser down to properly apologize. The two develop a friendship and begin spending time together. Quackser's family, desperate for him to get a "real job" are enthused about the prospect of him meeting someone and marrying and advancing his life. As Quackser and Zazel continue to spend time together, even becoming romantic, their differences become more apparent. Quackser is looked down upon due to his job and humble upbringing, as his family has little money. Amidst all that exists to separate them, the two love struck young people seem committed to making a relationship work. One day, after ignoring several warnings from his family, Quackser's livelihood comes crashing down when the horse-drawn carriages are banned in Dublin. Seeing his financial stability come crashing down at the same time that his romantic relationship is ending with the completion of Zazel's semester, Quackser is forced to make big decisions about his life, that may include leaving it all behind for a foray into the Bronx. It must be noted, that Gene Wilder maintains a wonderful Irish accent all throughout the film. It is all too common to be pulled out of a film by a bad accent job on the part of the principle actors, but Quackser Fortune never falls to this problem because of Wilder's exceptional job with the accent. An economically disadvantaged guy pushes a cart full of poop around for a living; the story on its own doesn't do much to pull in the audience. Add to it, though, the fierce determination to not live one's life only by the standards of other people and you have a quirky film with an important message. Waris Hussein never strays from real human emotions in this film. His film faces head on, the problems with the union between Quackser and Zazel, and refuses to cave to the easy ending. Disregard the silly title, and give Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx a chance, it packs a more powerful punch than you'd anticipate. Another lead role for Gene Wilder, just 3 years after his first time on screen, certainly a feat not enjoyed by every actor. With the added difficulty of filming on location and maintaining a very dominant accent, this lead role was no slouch. It was great to see Wilder carrying a film as he shared the lead role with larger-than- life Zero Mostel in The Producers. Being a fan of WIlder's work, this film was a brilliant surprise as I had missed it previously while watching his filmography. Quackser is a standout performance for Wilder and one that should not be missed.
TedMichaelMor One morning the world changes for Quackser Fortune. There is no horse manure in what must be one the greatest moments in cinema, at least, for me. I know that sounds juvenile or audacious, but many of us have had a moment when our lives change forever. This film is at once a droll, benevolent, and playful movie that is on my top 100 list. I would love to see it again.When I saw it, I had no idea who Gene Wilder or Margot Kidder were. They came as fresh with no echoes of preceding roles. With the location shooting in Ireland, they seemed utterly alive for me. Zazel and Quackster somehow become a couple with an intimacy that invites us into their shared special moment.This is a splendidly crafted film that fulfills a promise often suggested by easy cinematic clichés but rarely realized as it is in the movie. It is on my top 100 list. .
rusti2112 It has been over 30 years since I came across this almost perfect tribute to freedom,love and magic! This movie had a profound impact on my young life. All movie creator's could learn a great deal about how to tell a story at the same time actors are providing dialog...The images that are cast behind the characters and plot clearly create a lot more of a story than is being understood by other contributers? This is Wilders greatest achievement as a work of "art". Tightly wrapped tale on par with apt.0! This flick deserves to be understood as a statement of innocence vs. intelligence, the "happy ending" representing that both are fleeting. More of a movie then is credited for, symbolism is profound. Best seen alone.
smatysia An odd little film. A romantic comedy, I suppose, but the comedy is more whimsy than anything else. Good job on the accent by Gene Wilder. And Margot Kidder was so beautiful then. She and Wilder both turn in good erformances, and the photography of Dublin is fairly interesting. I found the film slow and not terribly interesting. Recommended only to fans of the two principals.