Product Details

• Actors: Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Robert Klein, Anthony LaPaglia, Juliette Lewis
• Directors: Nora Ephron
• Writers: Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron
• Producers: Delia Ephron, James W. Skotchdopole, John L. Solomon, John Solomon, Joseph Hartwick
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: November 14, 1995
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (114 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303457703
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,219 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Writer-director Nora Ephron hit a low point with this disappointingly dreary comedy set in a suicide clinic on Christmas Eve. The joke is supposed to be that all of the crisis counselors are themselves a pack of lovable losers, led by a badly toupeed Steve Martin. But it's a short step from lovable loser to annoying dweeb and most of the people in this movie cross that line very quickly. It's too bad, because the cast includes Madeline Kahn, Robert Klein, Rob Reiner, Garry Shandling, and Adam Sandler. Somehow, Ephron manages to restrain this lineup from doing anything funny. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What are they *TALKING ABOUT?!!!* I give it 5 stars, October 9, 2001

By 

Archimedes "archimedesz" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mixed Nuts (DVD)

I was shocked to read the faint praise of the editorial reviewer! Gosh, this is one of my most favorite movies, especially for Christmas!

Yes, they're a bunch of lovable losers, yes, I'm a sentimental slob, and no, I think the movie is an absolute winner.

Be warned: I think movies like "Blazing Saddles", "Dracula: Dead & Loving It" are funny. I like Get Smart, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, etc etc. I guess I'm just not reviewer material!

I think Madeline Kahn is brilliant in this; so is Adam Sandler (which is saying a lot; ... well, he's not actually brilliant, but he does a great ensemble job--I don't know how to describe it. He contributes, okay?) Everyone is at least competent.

The movie is far far greater than the sum of its parts. To the director, I must say: wow. You're good, kid.

Arch

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Twisted sense of humor., December 15, 2002

By 

skunktrain (So. California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mixed Nuts (DVD)

I laughed all the way through this movie. It has a definite WARPED sense of humor, so be prepared. Either you'll love it, or hate it. I chose to love it.

All the characters are great in this film. I always enjoy Steve Martin, and he was quite amusing and clever in this movie. Rita Wilson (Tom Hank's real life wife) is quite delightful as Martin's lovely but underappreciated coworker (and potential love interest). The late Madeline Kahn is my particular favorite--she has the most sharp and clever sense of humor, and her talents are displayed well in this movie.

There are plenty of other future stars in this film (Adam Sandler, Jon Stewart, and so on) and they all do well in their parts.

The story goes awry during the last 20 minutes or so, so suspend your disbelief. It isn't supposed to make sense, or be realistic. (Or at least, it ought not be!) It's just a bizarre and funny movie. There's also lot of gallows humor here, so be warned, and just allow yourself to appreciate it!

Christmas on Venice Beach is certainly a unique experience in this movie!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GUILTY PLEASURE!... (NOT for the easily offended!), November 16, 2001

By 

Christopher Sullivan (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mixed Nuts (DVD)

Let's face it, setting a comedy at a suicide prevention hotline center smacks of some truly tastless humor. However, black humor/farce doesn't bow to such societal pressure as "inappropriate subject matter". Clearly anyone who has felt the tragedy of suicide in their lives won't take to this one bit. However, that being said... "Mixed Nuts" is a TRULY hysterical film. Once again, the late MADELINE KAHN steals the show (like she did in "What's Up Doc?"). It stars a name cast including Steve Martin, Juliette Lewis, Anthony Lapaglia, Adam Sandler, Rob Reiner and Garry Shandling. Rita Wilson is an actress I'm not familiar with but who did a great job here and the drag queen played by Liev Schrieber was awesome!

The hijinks revolve around a suicide prevention hotline ("Lifesavers"!) run by a not particularly stable crew. The center is in danger of bankruptcy and all are in fear of the "seaside strangler". Following around the Christmas fruitcake throughout the film is a wonderful plot devise. Seeing Madeline Kahn stuck in the elevator trying to rap on an electronic keyboard is one of the funniest moments I've ever seen on film. It was to the great discredit of the producers of a recent biography on her that this film wan't even mentioned.

There are many, many funny moments here and even the soundtrack is exceptional. The upbeat, funky "White Christmas" at the opening, with views of a sunny beach and a snowman made of sand set the tone for this wacky and delightful film. Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" is great as well. If your looking for an outrageous, truly hysterical comedy and don't have easily offended friends, then this movie will make you a hit this Christmas season!!!

(Mainstream critics hated it... so you know it MUST be good! It must have been "incorrect" to publicly admit to liking it!!!) My congratulations to Nora Ephron for making a comedy classic.

Enjoy... and don't forget to pass the fruitcake along!!!