Sheen Gets Good Mileage Out of Silly ‘Three for the Road’

Charlie Sheen consistently points to “Three for the Road,” a 1987 action comedy directed by B. W. L. Norton, as the nadir of his career.

He should be so lucky.

“Three for the Road” is a silly film, but silly in all the right ways, and in all the right places.

Fresh from his brooding “Platoon” role, Sheen proves he can do comedy as he tackles this role of an aspiring politician who takes on the task of escorting a senator’s rebel daughter to a reform institution.

Alan Ruck (Matthew Broderick’s foil in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”) plays the goofball, budding-poet roommate to Sheen’s character. Kerri Green (who co-starred with Sheen in the teen flick “Lucas”) is the senator’s daughter.

Revealing the plot in any sort of detail would negate the best feature of the film, its plot-twisted nuttiness, but expect a fare amount of havoc along Southern roads as the trio’s trek proceeds. Think of it as “It’s a Mad, Mad World” on MTV.

Now, if you happen to like Charlie Sheen, you’ll probably like the film much better. And, like all Sheens, he does anger especially well. But it’s a rarer actor who can make anger funny, and Sheen gets awfully close in spots.

It’s true there’s little highbrow directing and no chic cinematography nor a musical score that you’ll whistle the next day. But if you’re in a mood for good, solid laughs and a rompy time traveling the roads with three rather good actors, “Three for the Road” is a good bet.

As for Sheen’s critical take on the movie: What do actors know, anyway?

“Three for the Road” (1987), written by Richard Martini and directed by B.W.L. Norton. 98 minutes. Rated PG-13.