Crazy People (1990)

"Paramount Pictures presents 'The Freak.' This movie won't just scare you, it will f' you up for life."

Why only four stars? You need a group of people in the right mood to enjoy this movie properly. If you watch it alone, you might very well sit there thinking "Why am I watching this?" But with the right group of people, this movie is comedy gold.


LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY!   January 18, 2000
frisky2000 (smallville)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is classic comedy. Dudley Moore plays Emery, a goofy little ad ex who is fed up with the lies consumers are fed every day. His TRUTH IN ADVERTISING idea wins him a one way ticket to the loony bin where he meets sweet and naive Cathy (Daryl Hannah) Together the staff and other clients at the mental hospital are determined to make something of themselves. They are energized and inspired by Emery, who unwittingly wins back his former company's interest after an accidental truthful ad campaign makes headlines! This movie is full of fun, and will have you remembering a few clever lines. Wouldn't you just LOVE to tell someone off who is driving while talking on a cellular phone like Emery did ! It will also make you think twice about the advertising jibberish you see around you every day, since virtually NOBODY tells the truth in advertising.


You have to be nuts to get ahead in advertising   April 2, 2002
Rottenberg's rotten book review (nyc)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Dudley Moore plays a burnt out ad-exec who suddenly loses his ability to keep from being honest. His most recent ideas (for movies scary enough to [mess] you up, for boxy but safe Volvos, and for the tourism boards of countries a whole lot friendlier than France) are enough to see him committed to an idyllic sanitorium. Meeting with other "crazy people" like him, Moore's character not only fails to curb his new compulsive honesty, but spreads it around, turning the asylum into some new age marketing firm. When Moore's ideas, accidentally published, become unexpected marketing coups, his former colleagues visit his asylum and take creative nods from his newer colleagues, making the new pathological honesty in advertising the rule of thumb (like men buying cars or traveling to exotic destinations only for sexual favors they receive from women they don't know, or buying cigarettes because lung cancer isn't as definate as the great taste). This was a surprisingly fun movie, funny but innocuous. The script gives Moore's supporting cast some definate pathologies, but doesn't make them pitiable or outright laughable. Even if this light film falls out of your head, the sympathy given the "crazy people" will stick with you about as long as the catchy ideas they dream up.


You'll never forget it   March 28, 2004
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I decided to write a review because time and time again there are things that I come across in life that harken back to this movie. It's been nearly 15 years since the movie was released and yet I still remember many of the jokes from this film and many of the characters. I always recommend that people go get this movie. It's good for laughs and while it's no Oscar contender, you'll never forget it!


Funny, but...   October 9, 2005
E. Spencer Garrett IV (Gautier, MS USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

"Hello." This movie would have done better at the box office if it had been cleaned up some because the story is the kind that children like. While this movie has no nudity it does have some bad language and sexual discussions that are inappropriate for children and are probably why it received an "R" rating.

I enjoyed this movie for its advertisements which show the power of truth. I teach marketing at the University of Southern Mississippi and use this movie in my class to introduce several ideas about the art of marketing communications. Everyone howls at the ads and it is very popular with my students.

But... you kind of have to enjoy Dudley Moore's type of humor to sit through the whole movie at one time. I personally find his movies to be tedious but that is just me. For instance, while the ads are funny this movie raises some questions. Why are any of these people in an asylum (they don't look dangerous)? Are Crazy People really smarter than the rest of us? Would these types of truthful advertisements actually increase sales?

In short, it is a shame that this movie had to have a plot to hang the advertisements on. Taking the serious parts of this movie seriously is a big mistake. So enjoy it for what it is, a silly little comedy with a romantic twist. This movie is best seen in large groups, so invite your (grown-up) friends over for the viewing.

"Hello." (an inside joke- watch the movie)