Mister Billion

One billion dollars. A race against time. A conspiracy to prevent the heir from reaching his destination. It sounds like the perfect recipe for an electrifying film, but Mr. Billion (1977) loses its way in its own rush and stumbles where it should shine: in its narrative and characters.

Our protagonist, Guido Falcone (Terence Hill), an Italian mechanic with a heavy accent and a seductive gaze, sees his life change when he is named heir to an unbelievable fortune. But there's a catch (there always is): he needs to be in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, John Cutler (Jackie Gleason), a ruthless businessman, has other plans and is willing to do anything to make sure Guido never gets there - and if he can convince him to sign a contract handing everything over, even better. To achieve this, he enlists Rosie Jones (Valerie Perrine), a potential con artist, but her romantic subplot with Guido develops so quickly that we barely have time to care.

If the story fails to create memorable characters and an engaging plot, the action tries to make up for it. And indeed, Mr. Billion shines when it's in the air - literally. Helicopters on a collision course, skydiving stunts, car chases with moves worthy of Steve McQueen, and a spectacular sequence in the Grand Canyon prove that there's competence in executing these scenes. Unfortunately, the comedy doesn't match the same level. Cutler's henchmen are as efficient at tracking Guido as they are ineffective at stopping him, and their sabotage attempts lack both impact and humor.

The bigger issue, however, lies in the dynamic between Guido and Rosie. She's supposed to be a cunning scam artist, but she lacks the charisma needed to make this aspect interesting. And Guido, although charming when impersonating movie stars, falls into the trap of falling in love too quickly - quicker, in fact, than any vehicle involved in the chase scenes. If only the script had explored a previous connection between them, there might have been more emotional weight in their relationship.

In the end, Mr. Billion delivers a visual spectacle of action and stunts, but forgets to fill it with a good story. Guido might be good at fighting and know how to drive anything with an engine, but against a flimsy script, even he doesn't stand a chance.

Mr. Billion is a highly entertaining, fast-moving road action comedy in the "Smokey and the Bandit" style. The basic plot concerns an heir to a billion-dollar fortune, an Italian mechanic and race driver played by Terrence Hill, who must travel to California to claim his inheritance within a certain amount of time. If Terrence's character does not get to the corporate offices in time to claim the inheritance, the entire estate will end up in the hands of the executor, played devilishly by Jackie Gleason. Gleason's character continually directs a concerted effort throughout the film to stop the rightful heir from getting there on time.

Now, forget the plot. As you have probably guessed, the above situation simply sets the stage for the real feature of this movie--the bone-jarring, speed-limit-busting, car-rattling stunts, including a railroad jump stunt you have to see to believe. There's plenty of humor in this movie, too, and all of the players (Hill, Gleason, and Slim Pickens thrown in to boot) really have fun with the script and their characterizations.

To be honest, I first saw this movie on TV when I was about 13, but I often think back on this film and I think I would still enjoy it today (I'm 33 now) if it ever came back on TV. However, a trip to the rental store would probably be too much effort to expend on this film.

In summary, if you like road-action pics, this is an excellent kick-back-and-enjoy movie to spend an evening with.

I just watched this on Fox Movie Channel and 41 years later, it's still great fun.

Terence Hill is one gorgeous guy who excels in this film by at playing a kind but naive character.

The action scenes were well staged and directed. Good cast, direction and editing - the story moves along briskly. I was thoroughly entertained!

There were a few worthwhile moments and interesting tidbits here. I can't claim it's a well done movie and it certain had some fowl ka guage and other garbage-y elements that did nothing but detract from it. But I got a kick out of some of the aspects of it.

Terence Hill left for a while his successful partnership with Bud Spencer to make this solo act as Mr. Billion an American endeavor exploiting the charismatic Italian star in a new kind of role, instead those typecast bean eater on spaghetti westerns, he plays Guido Falcone a poor Italian garage's mechanic in Italy who becomes overnight a billionaire due his wealthy uncle had died in an unusual (comic) accident and left to him as inheritance a huge corporation Falcone Finance Company locate in San Francisco, due he has afraid to fly, he rather travel by boat and train, however to get the rights of state he must be there according his uncle's will in exactly twelve noons days or will lose everything.

In Hollywood formulaic plot, the chairman of Falconi Company Jackie Gleason will tries by any means stop Guido reaching in time, he hires a woman Valerie Perrine to lure him and sign a paper giving full powers to greedy man to take over all business, hijacking and even murder if necessary to accomplish his goal, then Guido enters in everlasting dire straits cross-country with several uncanny characters as the iconic Slim Pickens as Texan, many cars chases, helicopters, trains, and a breathtaking final sequence at edge of Grand Canyon is the highlight of this weird comic on Terence Hill's trademark, making a little homage to American Westerns as weel.

Thanks for reading.

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First watch: 1985 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 7.