A one-joke movie - but it's not a bad joke
Added 2/9/2008
Crazy People is a one joke movie, but the joke is given enough amusing variations as a very unwell looking adman Dudley Moore (in a part he took over when mystifying original choice John Malkovich walked out) starts designing honest ad campaigns and finds himself committed to a mental hospital alongside several benignly stereotyped cuckoos (this is NOT an attempt at an accurate portrayal of mental health) only to draw them into his brutal-truth-in-advertising campaign when the concept catches on. Some of the mock ads are great ("Don't go to France. The French are annoying. Come to Greece instead - we're nicer."), although there is one that falls horribly flat for modern audiences due to events long after its production - in this case a campaign for United Airlines stressing the dangers of flying but adding "Most of our passengers get there alive."
As usual per Paramount's back-catalogue releases, no extras, just a decent widescreen transfer.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Crazy People
Added 1/27/2008
A true classic! Hello. Dudely Moore is at his finest. This is an older movie, but the humor is still "crazy funny"! When I watch this movie, it makes me miss Darryl Hannah. She is such a wonderful actress. Hello, how's it hanging?! I highly recommend this movie about truth in advertising.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A potent mix of comment and comedy
Added 12/9/2007
This is a deceptive film. Upon launching it, you might think it'll be nonstop laughter and silliness--especially when you see Dudley Moore tear the cellphone out of another driver's hands and toss it into the river. The humor works. It's over the top. But that's perfectly in keeping with things: all advertising is over the top.
The social comment works, too, displaying the evils of greed as well as the abuse of power and position. There's a lot of truth in this film, and it applies to all those human situations where the few administer the many. To see political commentary in this film requires no stretch of the imagination. When the master of the asylum pulls the reins, he is no different from any number of heads of state who, for the sake of their own power, keep their people in chains.
The salient point of the film is that things are not always what they seem. I suppose many films aim at stating that truth; this one simply forces you to consider who the genuinely crazy are. It may suggest to you that much in life which we accept without thinking does deserve a more careful analysis (notice how happy all the crazy people are and how miserable the ad execs are) Beyond that, the film is touching in a number of ways, with skillful performances by all the talent within. "Crazy People" is a real sleeper and lots of fun. Once you've seen it, you will forever thereafter look at advertising--and many other facets of life-- through much saner eyes.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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saw this movie so very many years ago and was thrilled to have been able to purchase it after so many years...loved seeing it again
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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An obscure little gem.
Added 5/12/2007
For anyone in the advertising industry this is a must see. This is a great Dudley Moore film with some hilarious one-liners that will have you still laughing long after the movie is over.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A one-joke movie - but it's not a bad joke
Added 2/9/2008
Crazy People is a one joke movie, but the joke is given enough amusing variations as a very unwell looking adman Dudley Moore (in a part he took over when mystifying original choice John Malkovich walked out) starts designing honest ad campaigns and finds himself committed to a mental hospital alongside several benignly stereotyped cuckoos (this is NOT an attempt at an accurate portrayal of mental health) only to draw them into his brutal-truth-in-advertising campaign when the concept catches on. Some of the mock ads are great ("Don't go to France. The French are annoying. Come to Greece instead - we're nicer."), although there is one that falls horribly flat for modern audiences due to events long after its production - in this case a campaign for United Airlines stressing the dangers of flying but adding "Most of our passengers get there alive."
As usual per Paramount's back-catalogue releases, no extras, just a decent widescreen transfer.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Crazy People
Added 1/27/2008
A true classic! Hello. Dudely Moore is at his finest. This is an older movie, but the humor is still "crazy funny"! When I watch this movie, it makes me miss Darryl Hannah. She is such a wonderful actress. Hello, how's it hanging?! I highly recommend this movie about truth in advertising.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
A potent mix of comment and comedy
Added 12/9/2007
This is a deceptive film. Upon launching it, you might think it'll be nonstop laughter and silliness--especially when you see Dudley Moore tear the cellphone out of another driver's hands and toss it into the river. The humor works. It's over the top. But that's perfectly in keeping with things: all advertising is over the top.
The social comment works, too, displaying the evils of greed as well as the abuse of power and position. There's a lot of truth in this film, and it applies to all those human situations where the few administer the many. To see political commentary in this film requires no stretch of the imagination. When the master of the asylum pulls the reins, he is no different from any number of heads of state who, for the sake of their own power, keep their people in chains.
The salient point of the film is that things are not always what they seem. I suppose many films aim at stating that truth; this one simply forces you to consider who the genuinely crazy are. It may suggest to you that much in life which we accept without thinking does deserve a more careful analysis (notice how happy all the crazy people are and how miserable the ad execs are) Beyond that, the film is touching in a number of ways, with skillful performances by all the talent within. "Crazy People" is a real sleeper and lots of fun. Once you've seen it, you will forever thereafter look at advertising--and many other facets of life-- through much saner eyes.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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