Three Fugitives Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Ex-con just wants to open a bank account but accidentally becomes a dad after a chaotic field trip with a nervous, undersized man and his silent daughter.

🍿 Three Fugitives: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Release and Bank Robbery

Daniel Lucas, a recently paroled bank robber, exits prison determined to go straight. However, Detective Dugan, who arrested him, remains skeptical. Lucas’s plans are upended when he walks into a bank and gets caught in the middle of an amateurish robbery attempt by Ned Perry, a desperate father.

Hostage Situation

Perry, in over his head, takes Lucas hostage. The police, seeing Lucas’s history, assume he’s the mastermind. A series of mishaps leads to them both being on the run from the law. Perry’s daughter, Meg, who hasn’t spoken since her mother’s death, further complicates their escape.

On the Run

The unlikely trio embarks on a series of comedic and precarious situations as they try to evade capture. They encounter eccentric characters and navigate increasingly absurd scenarios, all while Lucas tries to distance himself from the situation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lucas (Nick Nolte): A recently paroled, tough ex-bank robber who gets unwillingly involved in another heist and develops a bond with a young girl.
• Ned Perry (Martin Short): A desperate and inept single father who attempts a bank robbery to provide for his daughter’s special needs.
• Meg Perry (Sarah Rowland Doroff): A young, mute girl traumatized by her mother’s death who forms a connection with Lucas.
• Dugan (James Earl Jones): A determined detective who suspects Lucas is still a criminal and pursues him relentlessly.
• Horvath (Kenneth McMillan): An eccentric and senile veterinarian who provides unconventional medical assistance to Lucas.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ned Perry: “I’m not very good at this.” – Said during the bank robbery, highlighting his incompetence and nervousness.
• Lucas: “Just stay out of my way and nobody gets hurt.” – Lucas’s tough demeanor as he tries to maintain control of the situation.
• Meg Perry: “Don’t go.” – Meg speaks for the first time, expressing her attachment to Lucas.
• Lucas: “I’ll be staying with you a little while longer.” – Lucas decides to stick around, solidifying the bond with Meg and Ned.
• Ned Perry: “This is gonna be one really surprised obstetrician…” – Ned puts a teddy bear inside his dress to look like a pregnant woman as a disguise.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $40,586,886
• Worldwide Gross: $40,586,886

💥 Three Fugitives Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and laughing so hard! Nick Nolte’s gruffness mixed with Martin Short’s frantic energy is just hilarious. The scene with the crazy vet is a classic. It’s definitely a feel-good movie that hits the right notes, even if some parts are a little cheesy. It’s a fun movie night choice when you want something light and enjoyable.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Nick Nolte and Martin Short”
  • “Viewers who enjoy buddy comedies”
  • “Those looking for light-hearted action comedies”
  • “People interested in 80s films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Some language”
  • “Brief scenes of peril”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While not a terrible movie, Three Fugitives never quite manages to recapture the spark and heart of the French original, making it a fairly forgettable remake.
• AllMovie: “Francis Veber remakes his own French hit with mixed results. Short and Nolte have decent chemistry, but the sentimentality can be a bit much. Still, a harmless and enjoyable family-friendly comedy.

Audience Reactions

The unlikely pairing of Nolte and Short creates comedic gold.: Viewers consistently praise the chemistry between Nick Nolte and Martin Short, making for laugh-out-loud moments throughout the film.

Sarah Rowland Doroff steals scenes with her poignant portrayal of Meg.: Many viewers found the relationship between Lucas and Meg to be genuinely touching, adding emotional depth to the comedic elements.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted buddy comedy with moments of genuine humor and heartwarming scenes, though it may not reach the heights of its French original.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Three Fugitives is a remake of the 1986 French film ‘Les Fugitifs,’ also directed by Francis Veber.”
• “Kenneth McMillan, who played the eccentric veterinarian, passed away shortly after filming, making this one of his final roles.”
• “The film was shot on location in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, providing a realistic backdrop for the story.”
• “Martin Short’s comedic timing and physical comedy were largely improvised, adding to the film’s humor.”

🖥️ How to Watch Three Fugitives?

As of today, you can stream ‘Three Fugitives’ on platforms like Disney+ (depending on your region). It is also often available for rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Three Fugitives, you might like these similar films:

• Midnight Run (1988): Features an unlikely duo on the run, with a bounty hunter escorting a mob accountant across the country.
• Rain Man (1988): Explores the evolving relationship between two very different individuals on a road trip.
• Les Fugitifs (1986): The original French film upon which ‘Three Fugitives’ is based, offering a similar story with a different cultural perspective.
• The Odd Couple (1968): A classic comedy about two mismatched roommates, showcasing the humor that arises from their contrasting personalities and habits.
• We’re No Angels (1989): Features two escaped convicts who are mistaken for priests.

🛒 Three Fugitives Related Products

• Three Fugitives [DVD]: Own the classic buddy comedy on DVD and relive the laughs. Perfect for a family movie night.
• Lock Picking Set for Beginners: Learn the art of lock picking, just like Lucas! This beginner’s set includes everything you need to get started.
• Bank Robbery Funny T-Shirt: Wear your love for chaotic comedy with this hilarious tee. Perfect for fans of Martin Short’s character.
• The Fugitives (Les Fugitifs) [Blu-ray]: Watch the original French version that inspired Three Fugitives with Gerard Depardieu and Pierre Richard! Experience the original comedy

🎧 Soundtrack

Three Fugitives features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Living in the City” – performed by Gary Mallaber and Glenn Sherba

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

funny scene from Three Fugitives 1989

Remember that hilarious moment when Nick Nolte gets unwillingly entangled in a bank robbery? This clip captures the sheer comedic brilliance of that scene – I still laugh every time I see it!

The (3) Fugitives | French Films vs American Remakes

Ever wondered how ‘Three Fugitives’ stacks up against the original French film? This video breaks down the differences and similarities, giving you a whole new appreciation for both movies. It’s really interesting to see the contrast.

Funniest 5 minutes with MARTIN SHORT ever! Best of ”Three Fugitives”.

Need a good laugh? This compilation of Martin Short’s best moments in ‘Three Fugitives’ is pure gold. I could seriously watch this over and over, it’s comedy at its finest.

✨ Rate