Brewster's Millions (1985)

A minor league baseball player has to waste $30m in 30 days in order to inherit $300m; however he's not allowed to tell anyone about the $300m deal.

Director:

Walter Hill

Writers:

George Barr McCutcheon (based on the novel by), Herschel Weingrod (screenplay),

Stars:

Richard Pryor, John Candy, Lonette McKee

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Pryor	...	Montgomery Brewster
John Candy	...	Spike Nolan
Lonette McKee	...	Angela Drake
Stephen Collins	...	Warren Cox
Jerry Orbach	...	Charley Pegler
Pat Hingle	...	Edward Roundfield
Tovah Feldshuh	...	Marilyn
Hume Cronyn	...	Rupert Horn
Joe Grifasi	...	J.B. Donaldo
Peter Jason	...	Chuck Fleming
David White	...	George Granville
Jerome Dempsey	...	Norris Baxter
David Wohl	...	Eugene Provost
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Melvin
Milt Kogan	...	Heller

Storyline

Brewster is a minor league baseball player. Unknown to him, he had a (recently deceased) rich relative. In order to test if Brewster knows the value of money, he is given the task of disposing of $30m in 30 days. Brewster isn't allowed to have any assets to show for the $30m or waste the money in any way. If successful, Brewster gets to inherit $300m. The biggest problem of all however, is that Brewster can't tell anyone what he's doing, so everyone thinks he's crazy. Add to this the fact that if he fails, two scheming trustees will get their hands on the money, Brewster's task is not an easy one.

---

Plot Keywords:

baseball | minor league baseball | heir | baseball player | lawyer | 

---

Taglines:

You don't have to be crazy to blow 30 million dollars in 30 days. But it helps.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 May 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Brewsters millioner

Filming Locations:

L'Orangerie - 903 North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$38,800,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Davis Entertainment, Lawrence Gordon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The exterior of the bar "Torchy's" seen at the beginning of the film, is also pictured in a key scene of the film When a Stranger Calls.

---

Goofs

It is often claimed that by using the rare postage stamp to mail a postcard Monty violated the clause of the will forbidding destruction of inherently valuable property. However, as Monty was using the stamp for its originally intended purpose this would not go against the terms of the will.

---

Quotes

Spike Nolan: Monty, this is Hackensack, NJ. No scout comes here, you understand that. Trains are going through the outfield right now. But you strike this guy out, I'll take you with me tonight and get you drunk, that's a promise.

---

Connections

Referenced in Night Court: Mac's Millions (1988)

---

Soundtracks

"Auld Lang Syne"
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Critically acclaimed or not, this comedy hits the spot

When people think of the long legacy of Richard Pryor as a comedian, this film may not be at the top of the list. He has achieved greater heights personally and professionally elsewhere. Many Pryor fans may have skipped over this one altogether with a catalog of films to choose from that include luminaries from "Car Wash" to "Stir Crazy" to "Harlem Nights." That's unfortunate really, because as comedic performances go, Pryor strikes pure gold in this unheralded film. His manic energy, his sheer frustration with the impossibility of his dilemma (spend 30 million dollars until you are dead broke and not have a single penny or asset left at the end, in order to inherit three HUNDRED million) and the fact that he channels so much believability into what would otherwise be absurd are highly laudable. With an excellent supporting cast that included the likes of John Candy and Jerry Orbach, it's hard to imagine anyone too jaded to enjoy this film. It's ridiculous and over the top, to be sure, but it's also supremely funny in a way much more pretentious comedies can't touch. Pryor breathes life into the film and the film glows as a result. Whether it's on your personal "best comedy" list or not, it's not a film you can easily excuse not watching whether a Pryor fan or not. From third rate baseball playing bum, to toast of the town millionaire, back to a bum again before a highly rewarding ending comedically and emotionally, "Brewster's Millions" pulls off the best trick of all - it makes the viewer feel like a million bucks for having watched it.