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Cast: Shirley MaClaine, Jessica Lange, Billy Connelly, Demi Moore
Eva (Shirley MacLaine), a widow and retired history teacher, enjoys a quiet life. Everything changes when she receives a life insurance check accidentally made out for $5,000,000 instead of the expected $50,000. At the not-so-gentle urging her best friend Maddie (Jessica Lange), Eva deposits the money and the two friends head to the Canary Islands with every intention of living it up. But their fantasy is short-lived when they discover that they have become media sensations overnight. Fugitives from justice, the two are forced to outwit a trio of conmen, led by the local Wine “warlord”, Carlos (Santiago Segura), outmaneuver a dogged life insurance agent Vespucci (Howard Hesseman) who has teamed up with Eva’s daughter, Crystal (Demi Moore), and outrun the law. What they don’t expect is to be good at it.
"Wild Oats" tells the story of Eva and her best friend, Maddie. As the film opens Eva is at her husband's burial. At the wake we find out that her daughter is selling the house for her because her husband's life insurance is only worth $50,000. Several days later she receives the check but instead of it being for the correct amount it is instead for $5,000,000. Eva is determined to get a hold of the insurance company to tell them they made a mistake but when she can't get in touch with the insurance company her friend Maddie talks her into going to the bank and depositing the check.
Afterwards the two come up with the idea to take off to the Canary Islands with the idea of living life to its fullest. In the meantime the insurance company has sent an agent to the Islands to try and get back the money before Eva and Maddie spend it all.
"Wild Oats" is a feel good comedy with an amazing cast. The lead characters are played by Shirley MacLaine and Jessica Lange. Those two alone would be enough but the terrific cast doesn't stop there. The film's supporting cast is just as impressive with, Demi Moore as Eva's daughter, Howard Hesseman as the insurance agent and the always terrific, Billy Connolly who decides to romance Eva but he has his own reasons for doing so.
"Wild Oats" is a comedy at heart but it is also much more than that. Mixed in with the laughter is a crime caper, a little romance, some drama and a tale of what it is like to be best friends. Older actors rarely get roles in movies any more let alone get their own film so this is not only a rarity but a delight to watch. Shirley MacLaine and Jessica Lange shine here as best friends, their on screen presence and chemistry together are a joy to watch, I did not want it to end. The film's story doesn't offer anything we haven't already seen before but Acclaimed director Andy Tennant does a great job at keeping the things moving at a nice pace and getting the most out of his all-star cast.
"Wild Oats" will be available on DVD, Digital HD and On Demand October 4, 2016 and I highly recommend checking it out for the film's wonderful performances alone. A lively, funny and heartfelt tale of two older ladies living life on the edge. A very funny comedy that might even surprise you at times. I love the humor and the smart and witty dialogue. "Wild Oats" has a lot going on but in the end it is a story about friendship and a beautiful one at that.
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment
**** Out Of *****