Deal of a Lifetime (1999) User Reviews

Another mediocre reworking of the Faust tale...

[Havan_IronOak · 6/10 · 24 August 2002]

In this low budget film we have another retelling of the deal with the devil story. I was curious in that I wanted to see how Michael Goorjian did in a more major role than the supporting part that he always had in Party of Five. (He did OK) and I was curious to see how Shiri Appleby (of "Roswell" did in a movie (she did OK too).

Overall though, two OK performances don't make for a great movie. If you want a "junk-food" movie to pass an hour and a half, this movie may fit the bill. Just don't expect anything new or terribly original here. At least is wasn't painful to watch.

More Hollywood romantic comedy flotsam.

[=G= · 4/10 · 2 November 2000]

"Deal of a Lifetime" almost makes it to second rate. Trying to be a teen "feel good" flick with a message, the film has a few "moments" but nothing to make it worth sitting through. It features Pollak and Rubin in silly roles, a couple of fresh faces with potential, and little else. Very passable.

Diamonds in the rough

[emmagenekrebs · 10 March 2003]

This movie seems like it will be terrible from the first glance. The tired story of a high school geek who sells his soul to the devil for a date with a cheerleader is not at all a unique one. Overall, the writing is pretty shoddy, yet somehow, a few really great lines managed to slip into this film. These lines are so good, they makes the whole movie watchable. Combine that with a delicious comedic performance by Kevin Pollack and a palatable performance by Michael Goorjian, and you've got a movie worth renting at least once.

Bad...just awfully bad

[dominicana386-1 · 1/10 · 15 September 2007]

I love Shiri so i bought the movie, but even if she's on the cover she's really just in the movie through like a stalkers eye view until close to the end. The younger guy in the cover wants her and she's like the hot popular chick he cant have, so I he sold his soul to the devil (I think...or the devil's trying to convince him to). it doesn't really mater. I actually didn't finish up to the end it was just too much but yeah I'm sorry it was bad, bad writings,bad acting, bad filming, directing whatever. I think the budget could not have been over $1000 no way. I have seen some great made for TV Disney specials and I recommend anything like that over this. Still love Shiri though ;-)

Worst Take Off of Faust

[Captain Ken · 1/10 · 17 April 2002]

This is the worst version of the Faust story ever. The characters are totally unbelievable and the writing belongs to grammar school writing class. The girl Henry goes after is a plain Jane. Who cast her??? Henry need not sell his soul for her. She is not the blond cheerleader type that high school boys drool over. This film lacks humor, acting and concern. All we see are actors reading lines without any feeling,

Like an early Tim Burton flick with Robin Williams' evil twin

[rooprect · 7/10 · 8 April 2013]

Imagine a very early Tim Burton flick, before Beetlejuice, before Peewee, and cast a subdued Robin Williams in the role of Jerry the lesser demon, make it a high school teencom, and maybe you'll have an idea what this movie is like.

Highlights include: creative visuals without flashy FX (I love the depiction of Hell as an office sweatshop, not unlike a few where I've worked before), excellent acting by the teen stars, and a particularly vibrant performance by Kevin Pollack, all of which bring this otherwise dusty story to life. The plot is exactly what you'd expect: a mephistophelean figure promises to make a nerd into the most popular kid in return for the kid's eternal soul. No surprises with that premise. But Kevin Pollack acting as the lovable, detestable demon is what wakes up this age-old story. He's every bit as memorable as impish as Elizabeth Hurley playing the Devil in "Bedazzled" (only Liz has MUCH better legs in a dress ...as you will see, ugh!).

Though not quite as over-the-top as Robin Williams, Pollock delivers his own unique, highly colorful contribution. The fun is seeing what form he will take next (my fave is the ice cream man who grabs kids' money and hands them "Tabasco swirls" in return... haha before pelting them with vanilla scoops). Pretty early on you realize the plot is not nearly as important as the random, surreal gags like that.

If you do decide to pay attention to the story, you'll see that the high school setting is the perfect setting for the Faustian legend. High school society is the perfect microcosm to illustrate the fleeting glamor and material temptations of life. What nerd wouldn't sell his soul to date the head cheerleader?

I think adults and teens alike will get a kick out of this film. It's good, clean fun, no filthy language, no contrived sexual situations, nothing really disturbing at all. Just a cute re-telling of an ancient morality tale.

With its surreal vibe, I would compare "Deal of a Lifetime" to other bizarre teen classics like "Better Off Dead" (about a high school kid trying to kill himself in ridiculous ways), maybe "Back to School" (featuring middle-aged Rodney Dangerfield trying to be the big freshman on campus) or even "Ferris Bueler" though overall not as wacky as those masterpieces. But if you grew up with those movies, "Deal of a Lifetime" will be a nice nostalgic trip back to the fun we experienced with those 80s gems.

A fun movie, worthwhile watch

[MoviezFun · 7/10 · 2 March 2018]

Good Movie 7/10. This is back when movies still had plots and character development.

a real nice surprise

[gary-105 · 9/10 · 3 November 1999]

I saw this film with my wife at the opening of the Noosa International Film Festival in Australia. We're just going through our notes, and as I said, what a nice surprise. We sure hope this film gets a decent distribution because it deserves to be seen, especially by kids and their parents. It's perfect for our 12 and 14 year old kids--no violence, good kids (not those nasty, bratty 90210 types), a good thought-provoking message--and just enough high school romance to keep them interested. We're told by the festival it was made in 19 days, which is an absolutely a shocker. Well done where ever you are, and we look forward to your next!!!

Pleasant, undemanding comedy that could have been better

[ivanm-5 · 7/10 · 29 February 2004]

A reasonable retelling of "Faust" as a high-school comedy, the film is let down a little by a low budget and inexperienced director. It works well in parts, but there are occasional scenes which quite clearly don't work. One example - when the devil's agent (Kevin Pollack) is disguised as an ice-cream man he "scares" away some kids by throwing what looks like a few scraps of paper at them! Without the luxury of re-shoots, scenes like that needed either some imaginative work in post-production or someone brave enough to leave them on the cutting room floor. Instead, they are left in and undermine the good work elsewhere.

Overall it's a enjoyable family comedy with good performances from the main cast. Shiri Appleby looks suitably stunning as the object of Michael Goorjian's affections and does a good job of making more of the role than the script gives her.

When will this movie be available to the public?

[gary-105 · 9/10 · 14 June 1999]

This is an imaginative, visually distinctive film that stands apart from the current, hum-drum collection of high school pics, mostly because it treats its audience with respect and has the visual chops to back it up. This is a romantic comedy for kids and their young parents, with a smart variation on Faust as the agent for the Devil takes the soul of an amoral kid. It's a great idea for young people to be exposed to these themes--temptation, redemption--particularly in the post-Columbine period.

OMG!!!

[kittyrocker04 · 7 February 2003]

I thought that this movie was soooo stupid!I mean the plot was stupid and entire story could have been fit into one 10 minute movie!The only good thing about this movie was Shiri Appleby. She did this movie a little after she started with Roswell.She is a wonderful actress and would be the only reason anyone would enjoy this movie.

The only interesting thing in this movie!

[angel_delight · 10/10 · 27 October 2002]

Okay i admit the plot was okay. It was watchable. The only thing worth seeing in this movie is Shiri Appleby. Her acting is brillant. She looks beautiful and comes across on screen very well. I like the movie because Shiri is brillant in it. But if your not a fan of hers, then i wouldn't recommend it. The story is alright, but it lacks creativity and suspence. It could have been better. Overall a good film for something to watch if you have nothing else to do!!!

This Movie is So Cool!

[c2shiningcisno1 · 10/10 · 14 May 2002]

There are 2 reasons why I like this movie:

1) Alex Solowitz is in it, he is one of my favorite actors, I loved him in 2Gether

2) They made this movie at my school (Arcadia High School, Arcadia, CA)... how awesome is that?