Movie Review: The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)

★★★★★

This movie is a wild ride from start to finish. Ford Fairlane is loud, outrageous, and somehow still cool. Over-the-top, but I had a blast watching it!

Justin V.

North Carolina

Some movies aren’t meant to be subtle. The Adventures of Ford Fairlane is one of those films, loud, brash, and unapologetically over the top. Starring Andrew Dice Clay at the height of his fame, this rock ‘n’ roll detective comedy is part noir parody, part MTV fever dream, and part stand-up routine dressed up as a movie.

It’s also one of those films that divides people; you either roll with its absurd energy and politically incorrect humor, or you’re left wondering what on earth you just watched. But even if you fall into the second camp, you can’t deny it’s got a unique flavor that’s hard to forget.

Plot – Mystery in Leather Pants

Clay plays Ford Fairlane, a “rock ‘n’ roll detective” who solves music industry-related crimes. He drives a vintage Ford Fairlane convertible, dresses like Elvis and Fonzie had a love child, and delivers rapid-fire wisecracks with every breath.

The case? Finding a missing groupie and uncovering a conspiracy involving music piracy, corrupt record execs, and a few suspicious deaths. Along the way, Ford crosses paths with a slew of colorful characters from Wayne Newton as a slimy villain to Priscilla Presley as a sultry client, plus Gilbert Gottfried, Robert Englund, and Ed O’Neill stealing scenes in their own bizarre ways.

What Most Reviews Don’t Talk About

Most reviews talk about how The Adventures of Ford Fairlane is a “Dice vehicle,” and yeah, it is, but what’s often overlooked is how much it plays with the tropes of classic film noir. The cynical private eye, the dangerous women, the smoky nightclubs, the tangled conspiracies, they’re all here, but filtered through late-80s/early-90s MTV culture.

It’s not just the neon colors and hairspray; the whole movie feels like it’s winking at you, saying, “We know this is ridiculous. That’s the point.” And in a weird way, it works.

Andrew Dice Clay – Love Him or Hate Him, He Owns This Role

Let’s be clear: this movie is pure Andrew Dice Clay. If you’re not into his swaggering, insult-heavy style, you’re probably not going to enjoy it. But if you can appreciate his commitment to the character, it’s actually impressive how fully he leans into it.

He treats Ford Fairlane like a stand-up persona dropped into a noir detective story, complete with one-liners, overreactions, and an endless supply of sarcastic smirks. It’s performance art in leather.

The Supporting Cast is Bonkers

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its insane roster of supporting actors. Wayne Newton plays against type as an oily, violent music mogul. Robert Englund (yep, Freddy Krueger himself) is a bizarrely accented hitman. Gilbert Gottfried brings his trademark shrill energy as a shock-jock DJ. And Ed O’Neill has one of the funniest running gags in the movie as a detective with a past life as a disco singer.

It’s like the casting department decided to assemble the most eclectic group of personalities possible, and somehow, it works in the movie’s chaotic world.

Shane Black’s Fingerprints Are All Over It

Here’s something casual viewers might not realize: Shane Black (of Lethal Weapon and The Last Boy Scout fame) co-wrote the story. That explains the mix of noir tropes, action beats, and razor-sharp wisecracks.

If you’ve seen enough of Black’s work, you can spot the DNA: a flawed but charming antihero, banter-heavy dialogue, and an undercurrent of absurd violence.

The Style – MTV Meets Old Hollywood

Director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger) keeps the pacing tight and the visuals loud. It’s a mix of glam-rock excess and traditional detective aesthetics, neon signs and concert stages rubbing shoulders with shadowy alleys and smoky bars.

The movie also has a surprisingly memorable soundtrack, a mix of rock, pop, and blues that fits Ford’s world perfectly.

Not for the Easily Offended

It has to be said, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane is very much a product of its time. The humor is crass, the innuendos are constant, and the movie never stops trying to shock you. What flew in 1990 might not fly now, but part of the film’s cult appeal is how shamelessly it leans into that attitude.

Final Thoughts

From a Box Review perspective, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane is a strange beast. It’s a hard-boiled detective story filtered through a stand-up comic’s ego, with a supporting cast that feels like a late-night variety show gone off the rails.

It’s not going to be for everyone, but for those who appreciate its mix of rock ‘n’ roll attitude, absurd humor, and noir parody, it’s a wild, loud, and unapologetically dated ride.

And honestly? That’s kind of the point.