There is a similar theme to all three films, in that that all İrework older classics. Clueless put a 90s twist on Jane Austen, Batman and Robin continues the gothicization of Adam Westıs spoofy superhero, and Excess Baggage pays homage to the 1934 Academy Award winner It Happened One Night. Excess Baggage is not a carbon copy of It Happened One Night, rather its a postmodern reworking of the film.
The opening scenes introduce a prank loving and motherless daughter who believes he cr rich father cares nothing for her. As part of a game to attract the attention of her father, the heroine ends up taking a road trip with a difference.
It Happened One Night starred Claudet Colbert as the heiress and Clark Gable as the lower class rogue who falls in love with her. In Excess Baggage, Silverstone is the heiress and the roadtrip companion is Benicio Del Toro. The parental roles in the film are played by Jack Thompson and Christopher Walken. Thompson is podgy and pompous and Walken is as freaky as ever. Indeed, his character appears to have wandered in from the set of Pulp Fiction, I kept waiting for him to mention something about a watch. Harry Connick Jr. sporting another quirky persona far removed from his own provides a nice cameo.
But like It Happened One Night, the real highlight of the film is the male costar. Benicio Del Toro is almost unrecognizable from his last role, in The Usual Suspects. In Suspects he was slick, efeminant, and streamlined. In Excess Baggage he has lots of rough, uncut edges. Heıs a humble car thief, minding his own business, not hurting anyone, just trying to make a living. Del Toroıs view of Emily is rather like that of the audience. Its a mixture of disbelief and skepticism, which gradually develops into interest and acceptance.
Overall, Excess Baggage is surprizingly entertaining.