“The Tuxedo” is an action-comedy film released in 2002. Directed by Kevin Donovan, the movie stars Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt in an adventure-filled story involving a high-tech tuxedo that grants extraordinary abilities.
The film follows Jimmy Tong (Jackie Chan), a skilled but ordinary New York City taxi driver who unexpectedly becomes the chauffeur for Clark Devlin (Jason Isaacs), a secret agent working for a government intelligence agency. When Devlin is injured and unable to perform his duties, Jimmy is entrusted with wearing Devlin’s special tuxedo, equipped with advanced gadgets and weapons.
With the tuxedo’s incredible powers, Jimmy transforms into a superhuman secret agent. Teaming up with Del Blaine (Jennifer Love Hewitt), a fellow agent, they embark on a mission to stop a sinister plot that threatens the world. As they navigate dangerous situations, high-tech villains, and comedic mishaps, Jimmy learns to embrace his newfound abilities and rise to the challenge.
“The Tuxedo” blends action-packed sequences with humor and lighthearted moments, showcasing Jackie Chan’s trademark martial arts skills and physical comedy. The film also incorporates elements of spy thrillers and science fiction, adding to the overall excitement and entertainment.
While “The Tuxedo” received mixed reviews from critics, it was praised for its entertaining action sequences and the chemistry between Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt. The film’s visual effects and stunts were also commended, as they showcased Chan’s agility and comedic timing.
With its combination of adrenaline-pumping action and comedic elements, “The Tuxedo” provides an enjoyable and fast-paced cinematic experience.
Cast
The main cast of “The Tuxedo” includes:
- Jackie Chan as Jimmy Tong: Jackie Chan portrays the protagonist, Jimmy Tong, an ordinary taxi driver who becomes an extraordinary secret agent after wearing the high-tech tuxedo.
- Jennifer Love Hewitt as Delilah “Del” Blaine: Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Delilah “Del” Blaine, a fellow agent who teams up with Jimmy Tong to uncover a sinister plot. Del provides technical support and assists Jimmy in his mission.
- Jason Isaacs as Clark Devlin: Jason Isaacs portrays Clark Devlin, the suave and skilled secret agent who initially wears the tuxedo and recruits Jimmy as his chauffeur. He becomes injured and relies on Jimmy to carry out the mission.
- Debi Mazar as Steena: Debi Mazar plays Steena, a skilled martial artist who serves as one of the main antagonists in the film.
- Ritchie Coster as Dietrich Banning: Ritchie Coster portrays Dietrich Banning, the main villain and mastermind behind the plot that Jimmy and Del must foil.
- Peter Stormare as Dr. Simms: Peter Stormare appears as Dr. Simms, a scientist involved in the creation of the high-tech tuxedo.
These are the main cast members who played significant roles in “The Tuxedo.” The film also features supporting actors such as James Brown, Romany Malco, and Daniel Kash, who contribute to the action and comedic elements of the story.
Production
“The Tuxedo” is an action-comedy film that was produced by Blue Train Productions and released by DreamWorks Pictures. Here are some details about the production of the film:
- Director: The film was directed by Kevin Donovan, who is known for his work in visual effects and directing commercials. “The Tuxedo” marked his feature film directorial debut.
- Screenplay: The screenplay for “The Tuxedo” was written by Michael J. Wilson and Michael Leeson. Wilson previously worked on films such as “Ice Age” and “Shark Tale,” while Leeson is known for his work on TV series like “The Cosby Show” and “Taxi.”
- Filming Locations: The movie was primarily filmed in Toronto, Canada, and various locations in California, USA. Toronto provided the backdrop for many of the film’s urban scenes, while California was used for select sequences.
- Visual Effects: Given its action-packed nature, “The Tuxedo” utilized extensive visual effects to bring its high-tech tuxedo and action sequences to life. The visual effects were handled by several companies, including Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Rhythm & Hues Studios.
- Music: The film’s score was composed by Christophe Beck, known for his work on various films, including the “Frozen” franchise and the “Ant-Man” films. The soundtrack also includes songs by artists such as Macy Gray and Missy Elliott.
- Release: “The Tuxedo” was released on September 27, 2002, in the United States. It premiered at the Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, Los Angeles.
“The Tuxedo” aimed to combine action and comedy, featuring Jackie Chan’s martial arts skills and comedic timing. The production team worked to create visually exciting sequences and utilized visual effects to enhance the film’s high-tech elements.
Reviews
“The Tuxedo” received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. Here’s an overview of the critical reception:
- Jackie Chan’s Performance: Critics generally praised Jackie Chan’s charismatic and physically impressive performance, highlighting his martial arts skills and comedic timing as some of the film’s strengths.
- Action and Comedy: The film’s blend of action and comedy received mixed reviews. Some critics found the action sequences entertaining and appreciated the incorporation of Jackie Chan’s signature moves, while others felt that the comedic moments fell flat or were too reliant on slapstick humor.
- Plot and Execution: The film’s plot and execution received mixed reactions. Some reviewers felt that the story was formulaic and lacked originality, while others found it enjoyable as a light-hearted and fun adventure. The high-tech tuxedo concept was seen as intriguing, but the execution of the plot’s twists and turns received mixed opinions.
- Chemistry Between Leads: The chemistry between Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt was a point of contention among critics. Some felt that their on-screen pairing lacked spark and believability, while others found their interactions enjoyable and charming.
- Visual Effects: The visual effects of “The Tuxedo” received mixed reviews. Some critics found the special effects and CGI sequences to be well-executed, enhancing the action scenes, while others felt they were overly reliant on CGI and lacked seamless integration.
Overall, “The Tuxedo” was seen as an average action-comedy film, with praise for Jackie Chan’s performance and the film’s action sequences. However, the film received criticism for its formulaic plot, mixed comedy, and varying execution. Individual opinions may vary, as personal tastes play a significant role in how the film is perceived.
Where are they now?
Here’s an update on some of the main cast members of “The Tuxedo”:
- Jackie Chan: Jackie Chan has continued his successful career in both Chinese and international cinema. He has appeared in numerous films, including “The Karate Kid,” “Kung Fu Yoga,” and “The Foreigner.” Chan has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts and has received honorary awards for his contributions to the film industry.
- Jennifer Love Hewitt: Jennifer Love Hewitt has remained active in the entertainment industry. She starred in the TV series “The Client List” and had roles in shows like “9-1-1” and “Criminal Minds.” Hewitt has also continued her work as a singer-songwriter and released albums such as “Barenaked” and “Love Songs.”
- Jason Isaacs: Jason Isaacs has had a prolific career in film and television. He is well-known for his portrayal of Lucius Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” film series. Isaacs has also appeared in TV series such as “The OA,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” and “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.”
- Debi Mazar: Debi Mazar has remained active in both film and television. She appeared in the TV series “Younger” and had roles in films such as “Entourage” and “The Women’s Balcony.” Mazar also participated in the reality competition series “Dancing with the Stars” in 2009.
These updates reflect the actors’ activities up until September 2021, and it’s possible that there have been further developments or projects involving them since then.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about the film “The Tuxedo”:
- Jackie Chan’s 100th Film: “The Tuxedo” marked Jackie Chan’s 100th film as an actor. It was released in 2002, showcasing his longevity and prolific career in the film industry.
- Inspirations from Previous Films: The concept of a high-tech suit granting extraordinary abilities was inspired by earlier films like “Inspector Gadget” (1999) and “James Bond” movies, combining elements of action, gadgets, and comedy.
- Bond Parody: “The Tuxedo” was often compared to the popular James Bond franchise due to its secret agent storyline and high-tech gadgets. However, the film’s comedic and light-hearted tone positioned it as a parody of the Bond genre.
- Role Reversal: In a departure from his usual roles, Jackie Chan’s character in “The Tuxedo” starts off as a regular taxi driver rather than a skilled martial artist. The film showcases his ability to adapt to different types of characters and genres.
- Real-Life Tuxedo: A special edition “Tuxedo” fragrance was released by the fashion brand Givenchy to coincide with the film’s release. The fragrance was inspired by the sleek and sophisticated style associated with the tuxedo attire.
- Cameo by Daniel Wu: Noted Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu, who has appeared in films like “Tomb Raider” (2018) and the TV series “Into the Badlands,” makes a brief cameo appearance in “The Tuxedo” as a nightclub waiter.
These fun facts offer some interesting trivia about “The Tuxedo” and shed light on certain aspects of the film’s production, inspiration, and connections to popular culture.
Box office
“The Tuxedo” performed moderately at the box office. Here are some details regarding its box office performance:
- Opening Weekend: During its opening weekend in the United States, “The Tuxedo” grossed approximately $15.1 million. This debut placed it at number two in the box office rankings for that weekend.
- Domestic Box Office: The film went on to accumulate a total domestic box office gross of around $50.6 million. While it didn’t reach blockbuster status, it managed to recoup its production budget.
- International Box Office: “The Tuxedo” also had a modest performance in international markets. It garnered approximately $54.9 million from international territories, bringing its worldwide box office total to approximately $105.5 million.
- Overall Reception: While the film didn’t achieve significant commercial success, it managed to cover its production and marketing costs. The combination of action, comedy, and Jackie Chan’s star power helped attract audiences both domestically and internationally.
It’s important to note that these figures are approximations and don’t include additional revenue from home video sales, streaming, and other ancillary markets.
