LIP SERVICE might look like another forgotten TV movie from the 1980s. After all, it has a paltry score of 5,4 and only two reviews to date with the highest score that gives it a 6. But since in recent months I tried to watch as many William Macy movies I could find, I tried this one and, regardless of the fact that he appeared for only two scenes few minutes before the end, it still was a good TV movie.
Lennard Burdette (Griffin Dunne) is a young TV comedian that is having a bad moment because his ideas are considered old fashioned and his new shows aren't picked up. His old friend Gilbert Hutchinson (Paul Dooley) instead is having success and even wrote a book about how he found success. Lennard reads it and after some failed attempts, he'll find again success and fame and his shows will be picked up again.
The idea was great and could look like inspired by real life situations. How many times you had that friend that has more success than yourself and you want to become like him or even outbeat him? And besides, there were various funny moments that if I mention them all here, the review will never end. The acting by Dunne and Dooley was great and despite it's only a made for TV feature they give some of their best performances.
Overall, a decent TV movie that is worth your time and, about time... it lasts only 1 hour and 5 minutes.
