Crazy People (1990)
December 20, 2024 2:37 PM - Subscribe
[TRAILER] When his "honest" ads lead his coworkers to question his mental health, advertising executive Emory Leeson (Dudley Moore) is sent to a mental hospital. There he befriends Dr. Liz Baylor (Mercedes Ruehl) and develops a crush on fellow patient Kathy Burgess (Daryl Hannah). Eventually, it becomes clear that the work Emory was doing before he was hospitalized wasn't crazy after all, but the business world now interests him less than his new relationships.
The film began production with its screenwriter Mitch Markowitz acting as director. Initially, John Malkovich played Emory Leeson. Markowitz quit after three days and was replaced by Tony Bill. Malkovich quit after three weeks and was replaced by Dudley Moore. The film’s original director of photography Bill Butler was also replaced.
Paramount’s Crazy People billboards, showing a cracked egg with arms captioned “Warning, Crazy People Are Coming,” received complaints from mental health advocates all over the country. The Concerned Relatives Alliance for the Mentally Ill objected to a billboard near the South Florida State Hospital in Pembroke Pines, FL. The group claimed the illustration made a joke of mentally ill people, and its proximity to the hospital was “inappropriate.”
The ABC and CBS television networks declined to run some commercials for Crazy People because they gave free exposure to corporate products and, at the same time, offended several national advertisers. Among the film’s targets were United Airlines (“Most of our passengers get there alive”), AT&T (“We’re tired of taking your crap. If we fold, you’ll have no damn phones”), Porsche, Jaguar, John Hancock, and Metamucil cereal. Proctor & Gamble Company called the film’s Metamucil ad (“It will help you go to the toilet”) “outlandish.” However, Paramount avoided offending any tobacco company by using a fictitious cigarette called “Amalfi.” “Cigarette companies are very litigious,” writer Mitch Markowitz said.
Also starring Paul Reiser, J.T. Walsh, Bill Smitrovich, Alan North, David Paymer, Danton Stone, Paul Bates, Dick Cusack, Larry King.
Directed by Tony Bill. (Although Barry L. Young directed the commercials.) Written by Mitch Markowitz. Produced by Thomas Brand, Robert K. Weiss for Paramount Pictures. Cinematography by Victor J. Kemper. Edited by Mia Goldman. Music by Cliff Eidelman.
Multiple sources refer to actor-director Sydney Pollack as one of the producers of Crazy People, but he is not credited in the film.
The film ends with “George Cartelli,” the “hello” guy, singing the “Hello” song as a “bouncing ball” accompanies the captioned lyrics.
A disclaimer over the end credits announces: “Characters in this film do not depict persons with mental illnesses. Mental illness is a serious disease which affects many millions of people. Paramount Pictures acknowledges the input of The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.”
35% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently available for digital rental and purchase in the US. JustWatch listing.
The film began production with its screenwriter Mitch Markowitz acting as director. Initially, John Malkovich played Emory Leeson. Markowitz quit after three days and was replaced by Tony Bill. Malkovich quit after three weeks and was replaced by Dudley Moore. The film’s original director of photography Bill Butler was also replaced.
Paramount’s Crazy People billboards, showing a cracked egg with arms captioned “Warning, Crazy People Are Coming,” received complaints from mental health advocates all over the country. The Concerned Relatives Alliance for the Mentally Ill objected to a billboard near the South Florida State Hospital in Pembroke Pines, FL. The group claimed the illustration made a joke of mentally ill people, and its proximity to the hospital was “inappropriate.”
The ABC and CBS television networks declined to run some commercials for Crazy People because they gave free exposure to corporate products and, at the same time, offended several national advertisers. Among the film’s targets were United Airlines (“Most of our passengers get there alive”), AT&T (“We’re tired of taking your crap. If we fold, you’ll have no damn phones”), Porsche, Jaguar, John Hancock, and Metamucil cereal. Proctor & Gamble Company called the film’s Metamucil ad (“It will help you go to the toilet”) “outlandish.” However, Paramount avoided offending any tobacco company by using a fictitious cigarette called “Amalfi.” “Cigarette companies are very litigious,” writer Mitch Markowitz said.
Also starring Paul Reiser, J.T. Walsh, Bill Smitrovich, Alan North, David Paymer, Danton Stone, Paul Bates, Dick Cusack, Larry King.
Directed by Tony Bill. (Although Barry L. Young directed the commercials.) Written by Mitch Markowitz. Produced by Thomas Brand, Robert K. Weiss for Paramount Pictures. Cinematography by Victor J. Kemper. Edited by Mia Goldman. Music by Cliff Eidelman.
Multiple sources refer to actor-director Sydney Pollack as one of the producers of Crazy People, but he is not credited in the film.
The film ends with “George Cartelli,” the “hello” guy, singing the “Hello” song as a “bouncing ball” accompanies the captioned lyrics.
A disclaimer over the end credits announces: “Characters in this film do not depict persons with mental illnesses. Mental illness is a serious disease which affects many millions of people. Paramount Pictures acknowledges the input of The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.”
35% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently available for digital rental and purchase in the US. JustWatch listing.
The Volvo pitch is practically indistinguishable from their real campaigns of the time.
posted by MarchHare at 8:13 PM on December 20, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by MarchHare at 8:13 PM on December 20, 2024 [1 favorite]
I remember this movie vaguely. The volvo ad for some reason stuck in my mind the most.
posted by miss-lapin at 12:09 PM on December 21, 2024
posted by miss-lapin at 12:09 PM on December 21, 2024
I don’t remember anything else about this movie, but I will still think to myself “Volvo: They’re Boxy But They’re Good” when I see one on the road.
posted by Aznable at 4:19 PM on December 21, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by Aznable at 4:19 PM on December 21, 2024 [1 favorite]
There are so many more hilarious fake ads.
United: Most of our passengers get there alive.
Metamucil: It helps you go to the toilet. If you don't use it, you'll get cancer and die.
Porsche. It's a little too small to get laid IN, but you get laid the minute you get out!
You may think phone service stinks since deregulation, but don't mess with us, because we're all you've got. In fact, if we fold, you'll have no damn phones. AT&T - we're tired of taking your crap!
Jaguar: For men who'd like handjobs from women they hardly know.
The Freak: It won't just scare you. It will fuck you up for life.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:33 PM on December 21, 2024 [1 favorite]
United: Most of our passengers get there alive.
Metamucil: It helps you go to the toilet. If you don't use it, you'll get cancer and die.
Porsche. It's a little too small to get laid IN, but you get laid the minute you get out!
You may think phone service stinks since deregulation, but don't mess with us, because we're all you've got. In fact, if we fold, you'll have no damn phones. AT&T - we're tired of taking your crap!
Jaguar: For men who'd like handjobs from women they hardly know.
The Freak: It won't just scare you. It will fuck you up for life.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:33 PM on December 21, 2024 [1 favorite]
The fake ads are the best thing about this movie but I am not a fan of US comedies. There's a Bollywood version who's name I forget that a friend loved beyond comprehension (also not very good).
posted by Ashwagandha at 8:00 AM on December 22, 2024
posted by Ashwagandha at 8:00 AM on December 22, 2024
I really wonder what the movie would have been like with Malkovich and the original director.
Less silly, one would assume.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:07 AM on December 22, 2024
Less silly, one would assume.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:07 AM on December 22, 2024
Let's not forget that in 1987 Malkovich starred in the comedy Making Mr Right. While he's not known for it, he has done silly.
posted by miss-lapin at 8:53 AM on December 22, 2024
posted by miss-lapin at 8:53 AM on December 22, 2024
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And dang, the fake ads are funny and Moore and Hannah and the rest of the ensemble are having a fine, silly old time.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:38 PM on December 20, 2024 [1 favorite]