Rubin & Ed

Rubin & Ed

Company type	Independent film
Industry	Film
Founded	1991 (1991)
Founder	Trent Harris
Products	Film

Rubin & Ed is a 1991 independent film blending elements of buddy comedy film, both written and directed by Trent Harris. The movie features Crispin Glover and Howard Hesseman portraying an unlikely pair embarking on a journey across the Utah desert.

Plot

Rubin Farr is a quirky, reclusive individual residing in a motel managed by his mother. He is grieving over his cat, which he keeps refrigerated until he can give it a proper burial. Ed Tuttle, a divorced middle-aged yuppie, works as a recruiter for Mr. Busta’s real estate pyramid scheme, promoting $3,000 "seminars." Rubin’s mother demands he make at least one friend before she returns his stereo. Rubin forms a friendship with Ed and resolves to bury his cat in the Utah desert. They take Ed’s car, which was loaned to him by Busta. While Rubin hopes Ed will become the friend his mother desires, Ed sees an opportunity to enlist Rubin into the seminars.

Their vehicle breaks down in the desert, leading to an argument regarding the nearest town’s location. Ed suffers an ant attack but manages to fix the car after discovering Busta reported it stolen. Rubin knocks himself unconscious while exploring a cave and experiences surreal dreams where he imagines himself as the "King of the Echo People," involving fantastical scenes with his cat and an idealized woman. Ed returns after undergoing a crisis of conscience.

They proceed to Busta’s headquarters, where Rubin interrupts one of the seminars. Busta escapes but immediately crashes into police officers who are attempting to arrest him for stealing his own vehicle. Rubin and Ed then find themselves in a dark alley, debating who between them is more of a failure.

Production

Peter Boyle was originally cast as Ed but had to be replaced by Howard Hesseman after suffering a stroke two weeks into production.

Filming took place on location throughout Utah, including sites such as Salt Lake City, Hanksville, Factory Butte, and Goblin Valley State Park.

Glover's appearance on Late Night

In 1987, Crispin Glover appeared on Late Night with David Letterman to promote River's Edge. His unpredictable conduct—donning platform shoes and a wig while nearly kicking Letterman—caused the host to leave the stage abruptly. Following the premiere of Rubin & Ed four years later, some speculated that Glover appeared in character as Rubin Farr during that incident. The character also appears in Glover’s music video for "Clowny Clown Clown" and is referenced as "Mr Farr."

Release

Rubin & Ed received a limited theatrical release in the United States on May 15, 1992, screening in 18 theaters.

Sony Pictures issued a Blu-ray edition of the film on August 18, 2020.

Reception

TV Guide lauded the film as "a warm, funny and well-crafted celebration of eccentricity," highlighting exceptional performances from Glover and Hesseman who were described as "the perfect comedy duo for the post-modern age." Director Trent Harris was praised for "[maintaining] an easy mood of lunacy throughout." The review emphasized that unlike many low-budget films attempting forced quirkiness, Rubin & Ed uniquely achieves authentic quirky enjoyment.

Sidney Moody from The Austin Chronicle regarded the movie as essential viewing for fans of Glover, noting it broadens rather than restricts his distinctive abilities. Moody recommended it as a "hard-to-find gem" worth pursuing. In contrast, Chris Hicks of the Deseret News offered a mixed critique, acknowledging Harris’s eccentric directorial style and several comedic moments but criticized the film’s pacing and story coherence, describing the conclusion as unsatisfactory.

External links

• Official site
• IMDb listing
• Rotten Tomatoes review