Stars And Bars (1988)

Through the years, sexy thespian Sir Daniel-Day Lewis earned a reputation as being one of the best dramatic actors on screen and stage. For his performances in My Left Foot (1990), There Will Be Blood (2008) and Lincoln (2013), he received three wins from the National Society of Film Critics, three Oscars, and four BAFTAs when you include Gangs of New York (2003). Despite these lauded pics, it’s a treat to see DDL doing comedy in the funny flick Stars and Bars (1988). Based on William Boyd’s same-named novel, this R rated romp follows British art snob Henderson Dores (Lewis) to Georgia. Once there, he plans to purchase a rare Renoir painting for a New York auction house. Alas, the marbled-mouth, bully-of-a-son Freeborn Gage (Maury Chaykin) has already sold the coveted masterpiece to a rival art dealer. As Dores tries to track down the work, he runs into a bunch of challenges from Bryant (Martha Plimpton), Charlie (David Strathairn), Cora (Glenne Headly), Irene (Joan Cusack), Loomis Gage (Harry Dean Stanton), Melissa (Laurie Metcalf), Pruitt (Steven Wright), Reverend T.J. Cardew (Spalding Gray), and a shirtless Eugene Teagarden (Keith David) who lights up the screen when he dons a pair of boxers. Of course, the real scene stealer is Mr. Lewis who shows off his comic timing as well as his full frontal nudity! If flashing his abs, pubes and shaft isn’t arousing enough, the lean leading man exposes his butt. Considering Daniel-Day’s revealing role, Stars and Bars should be called Star and Bare!