Read this movie review to find out if The Spirit of ’76 is worth watching. Our review of The Spirit of ’76 (1990) is of a misguided time-travel comedy that became a cult curiosity and one of the decade’s strangest sci-fi flops.
Rob Reiner, known for directing cherished films such as When Harry Met Sally, Misery, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, and This is Spinal Tap, has died at the age of 78 in what appears to be a homicide, alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, who was 68.
The actor-director is beloved for his films. But his only foray into science fiction is unfortunate. His sole acting credit in the genre is a cult film written and directed by one of his sons. As a fan of science fiction movies, I decided to watch the film. Sadly, this is his only legacy of science fiction.
About The Spirit of ’76
- Directed by Lucas Reiner
- Written by Lucas Reiner
- Synopsis: “A close-up look at the most embarrassing decade in history. In this zany sci-fi comedy, three Americans from the future decide to time-travel back to 1776 in hopes of retrieving the United States Constitution to celebrate America’s 300th birthday. But a glitch in their time machine changes their destination to 1976 instead. Still believing themselves to be in 1776, the time travelers attempt to understand the “ideal” civilization of the Founding Fathers and The Spirit of ’76.”
- Release date: October 12, 1990
- Starring: Mark Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale, Carl Reiner, Nancye Ferguson, David Cassidy, Bob Casale, David Kendrick, Geoff Hoyle, Olivia d’Abo, Jeffrey McDonald, Steve McDonald, Liam O’Brien, Ann Block, Charles Dean, Martin von Haselberg, Brian Routh, Leif Garrett, Moon Unit Zappa, Maud Winchester, Lorri Holt, Jerry Carlton, Tommy Chong, and Shelby Chong
Watch the trailer below:
Warning: Spoilers for The Spirit of ’76”
What Happens in the Spirit of ’76 (1990)?
By 2176, a catastrophic magnetic storm has wiped out all recorded history, including foundational documents like the U.S. Constitution. The future sports a slapdash, Brazil-style retro-futurist aesthetic. Three time travelers—Adam-11 (David Cassidy), Chanel-6 (Olivia d’Abo), and Heinz-57 (Geoff Hoyle)—are sent back to July 4, 1776, but overshoot their target and land instead in 1976, amid America’s Bicentennial celebrations. The characters’ names are all pop-culture jokes—riffing on Adam-12, Heinz 57 ketchup, and Chanel No. 5—which land as mildly amusing at first but quickly curdle into something relentlessly, maddeningly silly.
They immerse themselves in the culture of the era, navigating fads and flashpoints like the Sexual Revolution and disco, all while attempting to recover America’s lost heritage. Their mission is complicated by Rodney Snodgrass (Liam O’Brien), an amateur science buff convinced they’re aliens, and his brother Eddie Trojan (Leif Garrett), whose attention is firmly fixed on Chanel-6.
Ultimately, they are aided by two teenagers, Chris Johnson (Jeffrey McDonald) and Tommy Sears (Steve McDonald), who help them repair their time machine and return home with 1970s memorabilia and a copy of the Constitution printed on a shirt.
Who are the Main Characters, and How is the Acting?
If you’ve never heard of the late David Cassidy, then you’ll miss 90% of the reason he was cast. The Partridge Family star is supposed to be a dashing reluctant hero like Han Solo, but he comes off as a selfish moron. Cassidy tries to use his natural charm and good looks to sell the character, but he fails miserably. He and the co-lead, played by Olivia d’Abo, have all the chemistry of wet cement. Their flirty banter comes off as stilted and mechanical. A competent director could have given them more guidance, but this movie is missing that.
The director’s father, Carl Reiner, has a cameo as a motivational speaker. His big sell is calling everyone a–holes and refusing to let Heinz leave the seminar. Other than that, his character is pointless. But everyone in the movie is pointless.
The two stoners, Chris and Tommy, feel like a bargain-bin mashup of Bill & Ted and SNL’s Wayne’s World (pre-movie). They’re easily the most grating characters imaginable—every appearance is like nails on a chalkboard. Their go-to catchphrase is “city,” as in “Boner City” or “Barf City,” a gag so lazy it never becomes endearing. Bogus.
The entire film is an attempt to pay homage to the ’70s and is packed with cameos from famous actors of the era and their children, like Tommy Chong and his daughter, Shelby. But for anyone unfamiliar with these faces, the appearances are more confusing than charming.
Is The Spirit of ’76 (1990) Technically Well Made?
This is writer-director Lucas Reiner’s first film, and it shows. The screenplay is full of lazy humor and weak character development. There are glaring plot holes. Adam-11 is supposed to be a genius inventor, but he can’t get a key part of the machine to stop glitching.
The direction is also lazy. There’s a moment when the time travelers are amazed to see a weed. But they’re literally standing in front of huge trees. If they’d put them in a parking lot, it would have worked. The costumes, created by a young Sofia Coppola (daughter of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola), are lovely. But there’s not much else showing the time period. So it’s easily forgotten.
The Spirit of ’76 feels like a bad TV movie. There’s a reason Rob Reiner’s son is now an artist instead of a filmmaker.
What’s Good and Bad in The Spirit of ’76 (1990)?
Some of the jokes, like the Pinto exploding after a car almost hits it, work. Some of the actors, like Rob and his father Carl Reiner, work. And if you love the seventies, you’ll chuckle at “up your nose with a rubber hose.” But the jokes begin and end at the references. There’s nothing clever about introducing it.
Most of the time is spent wandering from one place to another, looking at things. There’s a subplot about the CIA chasing them. But the script is so lazy it can’t even come up with a plausible reason they’re being chased. It’s just a setup for pointless and boring car and foot chases.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch The Spirit of ’76 (1990)?
The fact that most people have never heard of this movie is understandable, and it’s not only because it’s a Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure knockoff that can be easily forgotten. A wonderful idea is wasted due to an inferior script and a general impression of unprofessionalism.
It’s a concept that is wasted due to an inadequate screenplay and a pervasive sense of amateurishness. Even worse, the movie lacks humor (which poses a particular issue since The Spirit of 76 is meant to be a comedy). Lucas Reiner, the director and son of Carl, attempts to give the film a satirical tone but fails. The jokes are more fitting for a low-quality sitcom. Regarding the Bill & Ted link, apart from the clear time-traveling aspect, two stoner characters have evidently been inspired by that legendary pair. The film’s brief duration (approximately 80 minutes) guarantees that it isn’t completely dull, but this is hardly a compliment.
Overall: Skip The Spirit of ’76
I’m giving The Spirit of ’76 3 out of 5 stars because it’s a fun concept, but it’s wasted. However, apparently, I’m in the minority. Rotten Tomatoes gives the movie an 80% score from five reviews as of this writing.
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