Wacky British comedies are usually fairly noteworthy, but few people seem to know about The Tall Guy (1989) despite its stellar cast and memorable sequences.  The star is gangly Jeff Goldblum, a go-to guy in the mid-1980s whose career moved from The Big Chill, Silverado and The Fly to Vibes and The Favor, the Watch and the Very Big Fish all too quickly.  In the midst of his obscure movie run, however, is The Tall Guy, a decidedly different romantic comedy which costars British institutions Emma Thompson and Rowan Atkinson.

Emma Thompson is a comic revelation as an eccentric nurse whose favorite colors are orange and green, loves sex on the first date and is far more clever than Goldblum’s dorky actor, who falls in love with her at first sight.  The wild sex scene they have is quite memorable and very funny.

Not as funny is Rowan Atkinson, who mugs on stage as a beloved slapstick comedian but who’s a real jerk to his supporting cast and crew.  Fans of his “Mr. Bean” character and earlier work on British television will be disappointed that Atkinson isn’t permitted to really cut loose in this role.

On the other hand, after Goldblum is fired from Atkinson’s show, he lands the title role in a stage musical based on the story of the Elephant Man, concisely titled “Elephant.”  The rehearsals aren’t special but the show itself is a camp classic, featuring sad ballads with trite, ridiculous lyrics and well-dressed guys with elephant heads tap dancing.  The sheer nuttiness of the concept and its faultless execution is worth the price of admission (or rental) all by itself.

Genial, charming and witty, The Tall Guy is an offbeat movie directed by British television veteran Mel Smith.  It’s always amusing in that droll, British manner, and at times it’s laugh out loud funny.  Goldblum and Thompson make a wonderfully-matched couple, which is always necessary for a romantic comedy to succeed.  My rating:  ☆ ☆ ☆.  (9:1).