Kurt Russell Stars in Robert Zemeckis’ Dark R-Rated Comedy

Renowned director Robert Zemeckis, celebrated for his iconic films such as Forrest Gump, Back to the Future, and Cast Away, surprised audiences with his R-rated dark comedy Used Cars, featuring Kurt Russell. This film marks an intriguing entry in Zemeckis’s filmography, as it showcases a distinctively darker tone than his more widely recognized works. Zemeckis initially made his feature film debut with 1978’s I Wanna Hold Your Hand, a comedic tale of two fans attempting to gain access to the Beatles during their historic American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Although Zemeckis is often associated with collaborations with Tom Hanks, his partnership with Kurt Russell in Used Cars stands out. This film was only Zemeckis’s second directorial project and highlighted Russell’s comedic talent, setting it apart from his dramatic roles in films like Tombstone, Escape From New York, and Miracle. Despite Zemeckis’s extensive work in the comedy genre, Used Cars remains his sole R-rated comedy.

Used Cars: Zemeckis’ Darkest Comedy

It’s His Only R-Rated Comedy

Deborah Harmon and Kurt Russell poking out of a car sunroof in Used Cars.

Used Cars distinctly positions itself as Zemeckis’s most audacious comedic effort, being the only film directed by him to receive an R-rating until the release of Flight in 2012—a drama featuring Denzel Washington. In the context of Zemeckis’s broader repertoire, Used Cars delves into unconventional themes, setting a benchmark for his earlier works. Originally rated R by the MPAA in 1980 for its sexual content and strong language, contemporary assessments might suggest a PG-13 rating.

Critics generally received Used Cars positively, with a respectable Rotten Tomatoes score of 77%. Notable film critic Vincent Canby from The New York Times remarked, “A foul-mouthed, bumper-crunching farce that is often funnier in theory than in fact, but still contains more laughs than any other film of the summer, except Airplane!“In contrast, film critic Roger Ebert expressed disappointment, noting that the film exhibited style over substance regarding structure and comedic timing.

Used Cars Remains Zemeckis’ Sole R-Rated Comedy

Zemeckis: A Family-Friendly Filmmaker

With only two R-rated films, Used Cars and Flight, on his extensive resume, it seems improbable that Zemeckis will explore similar territory in the future. His latest endeavor, Here, is a PG-13 drama, further solidifying his reputation as a family-oriented director. With beloved titles like Romancing the Stone and The Polar Express under his belt, Used Cars stands out as an anomaly in his otherwise family-friendly filmography. Regardless of its place among his other more prominent films, Used Cars remains a noteworthy classic from the early days of Zemeckis’s impressive career.

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