1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A one-joke movie - but it's not a bad joke, February 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.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
dvd movie, June 8, 2007
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
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny, but..., October 9, 2005
This review is from: Crazy People [VHS] (VHS Tape)
"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)
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