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19 out of 20 people found the following review useful:

Great Comedy

Author: mjw2305 from England
28 December 2006

Montgomery Brewster (Richard Pryor) is a down and out baseball player in the lower leagues along with his best friend Spike Nolan (John Candy). Out of the blue he inherits 30 Million Dollars that he must spend in 30 Days and have nothing to show for it, so he can get his real inheritance of 300 Million Dollars; oh yes and he he can't tell anyone why he has to waste all this money.

This excellent and hilarious story is played out brilliantly by Pryor and Candy, and it takes us on a spending spree that has its up and downs for poor Mr Brewster. Because of the nature of the movies theme, Brewsters millions is quite firmly rooted in the 80's when it was made, but it still entertains with ease and is well worth watching.

7/10

17 out of 19 people found the following review useful:

Pryor + Candy = Laughs

Author: sddavis63 (revsdd@gmail.com) from Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada
21 July 2002

You can imagine that any movie that stars Richard Pryor and John Candy must be a funny one, and this definitely qualifies.

The plot is disarmingly (and misleadingly) simple. Montgomery Brewster (Pryor) stands to inherit a $300 million fortune from a long lost uncle (played by Hume Cronyn), whose will is videotaped. The catch? To get the money, Brewster must first spend $30 million in 30 days. An additional catch? After spending the $30 million in 30 days, Monty still isn't allowed to own anything. At first I still didn't think there would be that great a challenge, but in fact, as Monty discovers, it's hard to spend $30 million without actually purchasing anything of lasting value.

The movie progresses through Monty's spending spree on hotel rooms, parties, employees, the minor league baseball team he played for and finally his campaign to NOT be elected mayor. Other candidates spend millions to get elected; why not spend millions to convince people not to elect you? It's also interesting to see the reactions of his friends (especially Candy) to his squanderings, because another condition to the will is that he can't tell anyone what's going on.

It's really quite a lot of fun, and Pryor and Candy together make it worth watching.

7/10

14 out of 15 people found the following review useful:

Critically acclaimed or not, this comedy hits the spot

Author: Steven J. Juon (OHHLA) from Omaha, NE
30 June 2005

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.

9 out of 9 people found the following review useful:

Comedy Gold

Author: no-skyline from London, England
24 November 2005

I cant understand the low IMDb rating for what is a very funny film with two great stars in Richard Pryor and John Candy. Even though its a re-make and very much of its time (the 1980's) there is till plenty of entertainment to be had. Some of the areas of the film are still very relevant if you really could vote for none of the above isn't that a better vote than many of todays politicians? In tone this film is very similar to another 80's comedy - Trading Places, although this is the slightly lesser film it's still very enjoyable with plenty of comedy highlights. Pryor is outstanding and with the talented John Candy in support the film certainly doesn't lack laughs. There is even a message attached in places about the perils of greed and money but the ending feels quite abrupt and it would be nice to see the other characters re-action to the outcome.

8/10 - A bright and breezy comedy.

11 out of 14 people found the following review useful:

Good Production, Especially Considering the Substance.

Author: tfrizzell from United States
1 August 2002

Richard Pryor stars as a minor-league baseball pitcher in New Jersey who gets an inheritance, but the inheritance has a large catch. Pryor will inherit $300 million in 30 days if he can spend $30 million in that time, but he must have nothing of value after that time period. A really smart idea that works due to the comedic talents of Pryor more than anything else. His uncanny ability to portray highly sympathetic characters is also very important here. John Candy shines as Pryor's best friend. A nice little film that toes the line on being something really special. It does not quite reach high levels, but it does come close and overall it is an entertaining and noble work. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

7 out of 7 people found the following review useful:

Funny movie.

Author: magellan333 from Chattanooga, TN
1 May 2001

This movie is consistent with it's humor throughout. So many 80s films start out with an original idea but seem to lose site of it halfway through as it becomes a love story. Not this film, Brewster is trying to spend that money right up until the clock chimes midnight. One of my favorites by Richard Pryor. John Candy only added to it's hilarity.

7 out of 8 people found the following review useful:

Richard Pryor Is Hilarious Once Again

Author: soranno from Las Vegas, Nevada
4 November 2002

In one of his all time best film performances, Richard Pryor portrays Montgomery Brewster, the pitcher for a minor league baseball team in New Jersey. His wealthy uncle dies and leaves him a $300 million inheritance....but there's a catch. In order to get it, he must spend $30 million in 30 days. It might sound simple enough but a position in the New York stock market as well as a phony election campaign for mayor sometimes keep bringing spent money back to him. Hilarious complications ensue as Pryor attempts to spend all of the money and keep it spent without getting any of it back. Pryor shines in a fine character role that's away from his usual con man typecasting.

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:

What About All Those Thirsty Arabs? With Ice?

Author: DKOSTY from United States
14 October 2005

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Montgomery Brewster has been given the movie treatment more than once as the novel this is based upon dates back to nearly 1900. This is not cerebral stuff but good humor and laughs while ignoring reality. It is am homage to a couple of fine film comedians who are no longer with us.

Richard Pryor & John Candy did not work together enough, and this movie makes up for that loss. This film allows Pryor to do his manic over the top behavior just perfectly. It allows Candy to do his humor well too. The support cast seems to be well fitted with the stars and the show goes smoothly and funny without going too long.

Monte Brewster is a minor league pitcher for the Hackensack Bulls when the movie starts, who wins a game & promptly gets into trouble at a bar fight celebration after the game. He and Candy compliment each other well especially at the court hearing. Then they are amazed to be bailed out by a stranger who has been taking photos of Monty.

From Jersey, the stranger takes them to a law office in New York City where Monte finds out he is rich from his Uncle Rupert Horne. The catch is, does he want to be $1 million dollars richer or $300 million richer? In order to get the $300, he has to waste $30 million dollars and not have anything tangible to show for it in 30 days. From this premise, the insanity of Pryor takes over and fits perfectly.

He arranges for the Bulls to play the Yankees, hires a huge staff including his buddy Candy, & when his staff presents him with an unexpected $10 million dollar profit which puts him back where he started, he gets a desperate idea to spend the extra millions. With 2 shady characters running for mayor, Monty runs using "Vote None of The Above" as his campaign slogan. One reason I like this movie so much is my favorite political throw away line in any movie:

"I'm asking people not to send any money to my campaign. I'm telling you to keep your money, your going to need your money after this election."

I keep hoping those words "needing your money" aren't true after our election of Obama but he seems to be spending money fast than Monty. Maybe when he is done in office, he could star in a remake of this one?

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:

Good times a plenty with a spend happy Pryor

Author: mapeoleaf (mapeoleaf@canada.com) from Here abouts, Ontario
6 October 2002

I just watched this film for this first time and I thought it was pretty good. I have read several of the other reviews which are dismal to say the least but I am now a fan of Richard Pryor after this film. For truly awesome Pryor watch " Stir Crazy " instead. This is a revamp of an older film of the same name that came out even before " talkies " in fact Thomas Jefferson may have seen the original! The 1919 version could only be an archaic dusty relic that should be examined by archaeologists. That is exactly why this film needed a fresh new take, forget people that feel it is not close enough to the original; it was 1985 during the " me " era and people were spending their dough like it was going out of style. Ronald Reagan was president and Michael J. Fox was Alex P. Keaton on " Family Ties " the Capitalist was the flavor of the week. Richard Pryor is Brewster a washed up baseball player who has been in the minors for 15 years, it seems as if his dreams are being washed up along with his game. His friend Spike played by John Candy (not a super performance from him I might add) is his good friend and catcher on the minor league ball team. Brewster discovers that his great uncle ( a " honky " in his own words) is giving his last surviving heir a chance to get $ 300,000,000 or play it safe and get $1,000,000. The only stipulation to get a the big pay out he needs to play a little game, his great uncle was a crotchety tormented man (too much cigar smoke, watch the flick). Brewster has to spend 30 mill. in 30 days, with absolutely no assets. That is a tough situation if ever there was one. The movie is really fun, its fantastic to watch Pryor trying to spend every last penny. I guess the movie's intention is to show how extravagance can be a real pain in the ass!! I loved Pryor as Brewster, I wanted him to be successful, he is so damn funny and a truly likable guy. Candy is the buddy role, and his character is unfortunately, two dimensional. I love John Candy (Bless Him) but he cannot make much out of an under developed role. Watch a hilarious performance of Seventh Heaven (TV Minister) as the conniving lawyer who seems like he has a rake up his ass and you really want to see him get his just desserts. The movie is a little slow at times but you will be cheering for Brewster along the way and see the hordes of regular people (those without 30 mill to blow) enjoying his riches. The conclusion is a little bit weak as well but the many comic moments make up for it. Watch this flick, it might be a winner for you.

6.5/10

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:

an enjoyable comedy

Author: jumpdates from United States
23 May 2002

The film is a comedy of how Brewster finds creative ways of spending the 30 million dollars and not always getting it right. He is unable to tell anyone of his real intentions of inheriting 300 million by successfully blowing 30 million dollars in 30 days. As soon as he receives news he goes on a wild spending spree and recruits lawyers, security guards, decorators etc. all at very inflated salaries. Eventually the word goes around and soon everyone is jostling to benefit from his generosity. Some of the people close to him are unnerved by his spending prowess and tries to help him acquire more money through investments which is exactly the opposite of what he wants. This all adds up to a series of very comical events which is most enjoyable to watch. Look out for the upcoming remake of this movie.

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