The Dream Team (1989) User Reviews

Hilarious and under rated

[john-b-1995 · 8/10 · 11 September 2011]

This film is about four mental patients who's doctor disappears while taking them on a trip. 'Dr Weitzman' witnesses a murder and is attacked by the killers- who happen to be cops. The patients have to get to their doctor before the two cops do.

This is an extremely under rated film that deserves more. It features Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, Peter Boyle and Stephen Furst, all of which are brilliant in their rolls. There is not much to the plot, mainly because it focuses on the characters, both individuality and as a group.

This is an excellent comedy and in my opinion should be on the list for best comedy film. If you have not seen it, you are missing out!

I drove the moneylenders from the temple. I can handle a ten-spot.

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 18 August 2011]

The Dream Team is directed by Howard Zieff and written by John Connolly and David Loucka. It stars Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, Peter Boyle, Stephen Furst and Lorraine Bracco. Music is by David McHugh and cinematography by Adam Holender.

Billy Caulfield (Keaton)-compulsive liar and prone to violent outbursts; Henry Sikorsky (Lloyd)-tidy freak who thinks he's a doctor; Jack McDermot (Boyle)-thinks he's Christ; Albert Ianuzzi (Furst)-near catatonic personality who can only speak in sports jargon.

There are people, and perhaps even that little old angel on your shoulder from time to time, that tell you that one shouldn't make fun of the afflicted; case in point folk with mental issues. So it be with this here amusing picture, a film that basically sees four odd balls let loose in New York as they try to find their missing doctor and foil the couple of dirty cops who want to silence said doctor for good. Yet Zieff's film is neither crass or stupid, the comedy is well drawn, with the characters themselves not the danger to society kind, but the misfit sort who are struggling to fit into said society. Looking in at it a bit deeper, film has valid points about acceptance, messages about understanding, friendships and collective group unity being powerful. Even the effects of work pressure is given a sardonic glance. It's not like the makers set out to offend, pic never even sails close to the wind, evidently they clearly set up to entertain and amuse, and that goal is achieved royally because The Dream Team is awfully funny.

Does Ed go out of the window? Let's have a show of hands. You can vote too, Ed. This is America.

It's a smart collection of actors playing the "afflicted" guys, four actors very comfortable with each other and enjoying the benefits of a strong script. Each one is handed great comedy moments to act out, neither left out and neither disappointing. Boyle arguably steals the film by way of some excellent visual comedy, but it's most likely Keaton's caustic observations and one line zingers that will leave the lasting impression. The final quarter gets a bit mechanical as the intrepid "nut buddies" finally bond and the film shifts to a basic chase/race against the clock affair, but the gags still come and you may find you are still laughing about something that was said earlier anyway! Bracco isn't given a lot to do, which practically renders this as being an ultimate buddy buddy guy flick, and the two "dirty" coppers played by James Remar and Philip Bosco are by the numbers villains. Small moans only, though, and in the name of good comedy, who cares really?

It's great to be young and insane! Hell Yeah. 8/10

I was with Elvis, and my dog told me to do it.....

[FlashCallahan · 8/10 · 13 February 2010]

Mike is a tad delusional. Harry believes he's a doctor. Jack is an ad executive who believes Jesus is speaking to him. Albert is an adult who occasionally wets himself.

When they are taken to a ball game by Dr. Weitzman they witness a murder and Weitzman is attacked and hospitalised.

The four crazies find that Weitzman will be murdered as a witness and no one believes four mental patients.

They have to both use and overcome their delusions in order to save the only decent doctor who is treating them, with both the police and the killers looking for them....

I was Thirteen the first time i saw this movie, and i instantly fell in love with it. Having not seen in in nearly 17 years, i was very worried that one of my favourite movies as a child would not have the same effect now, than it did in 1992.

Although it has dated quite a bit, it is still laugh out loud funny, and quite surprisingly touching in place. Understandably, the best parts of the film are when the four are bickering. It's consistently funny, and the lines are funny and never fail to raise a smile.

Keaton is in full on wacko mode in this, and is probably one of his best forgotten roles. Lloyd can play straight and yet be hilarious, but carries the films most humanistic element. If the scene where he visits his wife and daughter doesn't bring a lump in your throat, you need your brain checking.

it's a very sunshine orientated movies, with lots of quotable lines, and if you are feeling down, this is the sort of film you want to watch to brighten your day.

it's very easy to watch, goes along quite breezily, and most importantly, never gets boring.

highly recommended.

plus Keaton has an amazing mullet.

Neat little comedy.

[boris-26 · 19 November 2001]

In the hands of lesser a director and less talented actors, THE DREAM TEAM's plot about four mental patients loose in Manhattan would be silly and childish. Here, it is funny as hell, you stayed glued to the screen. The four patients are Michael Keaton, as a loose tempered but charming liar, Peter Boyle as an ex-executive who now believes he is Jesus Christ, Christopher Lloyd as a compulsive neat-nick and Stephen Furst as a catatonic TV commercial/Baseball fan.

Their run-ins with unsuspecting New Yorkers come fast and fresh, no re-heated gags here. Look for a young perky Lorraine Bracco and Broadway great Phillip Bosco in supporting parts.

What a crazy line-up!

[anchoreddown · 7/10 · 9 December 2008]

Out of no-where at Best Buy I found this movie. Liking all four of the actors that play the characters in the nut house, I bought it.

You basically have the baseball nut who can't talk, the imaginative one who can fib just about anyone, the doctor who is extremely tightly and the Son of God who walks around the institution naked.

Put these four together and you get a riot of laughs.

Personally, Christopher Lloyd and Michael Keaton are the funniest.

Peter Boyle alone can take the show, no doubt. One of his funnier scenes is when he starts taking his clothes off in front of a church congregation AND thankfully was escorted out before he could finish.

Stephen Furst I haven't seen as much and I have NOT seen Animal House yet. However I did see him in Midnight Madness and thought he did a good job.

for comedy at its best and for something completely random, like Monty Python is, this is the movie for you

Lorraine Bracco in an ingénue role

[btm1 · 7/10 · 16 February 2011]

Washington Post reviewer Rita Kempley called the Dream Team "a surprisingly amiable romp about a zany quartet of escaped mental patients who flew out of the cuckoo's nest." I agree. But it also interested me because it features Lorraine Bracco in an ingénue role 15 years before she became famous as Tony's psychiatrist in HBO's "The Sopranos." Her delightful voice/speech is so recognizable!!!

It would seem natural to compare this to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," but that would be like comparing an AA minor league team to the New York Yankees. Cuckoo's Nest had an outstanding script based on an outstanding novel, while "The Dream Team" is an enjoyable B-movie. Moreover, Michael Keaton is good but he's no Jack Nicholson.

Christopher Lloyd (playing the nut who thinks he is a psychiatrist) is excellent. I also appreciated the performances of Peter Boyle (he thinks he is Jesus Christ but preaches nakedness), and Stephen Furst (he is a semi-catatonic who speaks only in baseball announcer clichés.)

fun group

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 30 April 2017]

Billy Caufield (Michael Keaton) is a delusional writer with anger issues. Henry Sikorsky (Christopher Lloyd) avoids his family and pretends to be a doctor. Jack McDermott (Peter Boyle) is the religious former ad exec who likes to walk around naked. Albert Ianuzzi (Stephen Furst) has trouble communicating. Dr. Weitzman (Dennis Boutsikaris) is treating them at Cedarbrook Hospital. He takes them on a field trip to the Yankees game. Albert pretends to pee and makes a run for it. Weitzman goes looking for him and stumbles upon a murder. He is knocked unconscious and hospitalized while his patients are left on their own. Billy reconnects with girlfriend Riley (Lorraine Bracco). The guys discover that two corrupt cops (Philip Bosco, James Remar) are trying to kill Weitzman but nobody believes the four runaway mental patients.

The four leads are a fun group of comedic actors. This is set up for a hilarious irreverent road trip. It doesn't always come together but there is some fun to be had. The writing is not that sharp but the guys are able to pull out a few laughs. After Weitzman is taken to the hospital, the guys split up for about fifteen minutes. That's not the best idea since building up their fun chemistry is half the battle. The cast's full potential is never fully realized.

Keaton, Lloyd and Boyle running loose in New York

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 30 May 2006]

Some ferocious talents - Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, and Peter Boyle, supported by a talented cast - star in this comedy about four mental hospital patients who roam New York freely after their doctor is severely beaten. One of them (Keaton) has severe anger issues, another thinks he's a doctor (Lloyd), and one thinks he's Jesus Christ (Boyle) and constantly quotes the Bible. The fourth never talks. Their well-meaning psychiatrist (Dennis Boutsikaris) drives them to New York to attend a Yankees game. When he escorts Albert, the non-talker, into an alley to relieve himself, he witnesses two bad cops killing a third and is severely injured before the good-guy police arrive. Albert takes off, but he can't tell the others what happened. After waiting in the van for a while, they all leave for parts unknown. Boyle ends up in a revival meeting giving testimony as Jesus, Keaton looks up his old girlfriend (an almost unrecognizable Lorraine Bracco) - soon, two sets of police are looking for them - with different motives.

Though I certainly enjoyed this film, I found it a little slow getting started, and felt it could have been funnier, though the very beginning is great. It does pick up, however, and the acting is superb all around. Keaton is great - one wonders what happened to his career, and why we don't see his lively presence as much in films nowadays. Lloyd manages to be so serious that it's funny but also has a poignant scene with his family. Boyle has the funniest role and he's absolutely hilarious. The ending is very sweet.

The movie doesn't make any profound comments on mental disorders but does ask who's crazy in this world and what we're willing to believe about certain people. It also makes the point that by interaction and someone caring, disturbed people can start on the road to healing. Very good and well worth seeing.

I liked it

[Angus-9 · 9/10 · 19 March 1999]

The characters in this movie are well done and well acted. The comedy is great. Michael Keaton has some great one-liners and facial expressions. You can really relate to his situation. One of the better comedies I've seen.

Four Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

[AaronCapenBanner · 6/10 · 30 November 2013]

Howard Zieff directed this amusing comedy that stars Michael Keaton as Billy Caufield, a new inmate at the New York state sanitarium where he is admitted for observation. One day, his group psychiatrist decides it a good idea to take Billy and three other inmates(played by Christopher Lloyd, Peter Boyle, and Stephen Furst) into the city for a baseball game. While there, he is witness to a crime and hospitalized, leaving the four men on their own, looking for their doctor, and also being pursued by the criminals. How will these guys cope? Clearly inspired by "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest"(there is a similar sequence in that film too) this film still works moderately well, with a good cast and funny scenes, even if it is predictable and unlikely.

Lunatics On The Loose

[ccthemovieman-1 · 5/10 · 27 March 2008]

This was a humorous film about a small group of mental patients who are let loose in New York City for a day. They are "Jack" (Peter Boyle), "Henry" (Christopher Lloyd), "Billy" (Michael Keaton).and "Albert" (Stephen Furst). Actually, they are taken to a ballgame and the doctor in charge of them is kidnapped there, after he witnesses a crime. The boys are are now on their own in a "lost in New York" scenario.

Mainly, this film is a bunch of sight gags more than a cohesive story. Boyle, Lloyd and Keaton are all, by now, well-known actors who bring a lot of life to their characters here. It's a lot of silliness but, for the most part, works and provides a lot of laughs. As a baseball fan, I appreciated Furst's performance best.

Peter Boyle ("Jack McDermott") plays one of several insane people who are "lost in New York" and are out on the streets having a good time. He is a "Jesus freak," which the screenwriters consider nuts, of course. He and other churchgoers are pictured in the movies as lunatics. Gosh, what a shock Hollywood would do that. They also have crooked cops in here - another shock.

The film still had a lot of funny moments, thanks to the actors and the interesting premise of mental patients fending for themselves in the big city. It's total lunacy.

MUCH BETTER THAN IT GETS CREDIT FOR!

[monlyn75 · 8/10 · 11 August 2018]

I actually love this movie. I used to watch it over and over, back in the old satellite days, lol. The concept and storyline aren't ones that have been remade time and time again. When I still use quotes today from a film I first watched over 25 years ago, it's a good one! Michael Keaton and Peter Boyle are especially hilarious in this. If you like Michael Keaton in his goofier roles, you'll enjoy this one immensely.

Some Comic Relief Here and There

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 21 May 2016]

It's been 3 weeks since 4 mental patients were taken off of their medication and the psychiatrist in charge of them has decided that it would be good therapy to take them into nearby New York City to see a Yankees baseball game. What he doesn't count on is being assaulted in an alley for witnessing a crime and being taken to a local hospital there while his 4 mental patients are left to their own devices. Neither does he realize that these 4 clinically insane individuals are all that stands between him and some rogue cops who are determined to tie up any and all loose ends by killing him. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie I will just say that this turned out to be a decent comedy all things considered. Although I was somewhat disappointed with the performance of Michael Keaton (as "Billy Caufield") he still managed to contribute some comic relief here and there so I suppose his talent wasn't totally wasted. On the other hand, I thought Stephen Furst (as "Albert Ianuzzi") was absolutely hilarious and in my opinion he essentially stole the show. In any case, despite its uneven nature I happened to like this movie and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Waste of potential

[Maziun · 2/10 · 4 August 2013]

It's always a shame when a good idea is wasted . A comedy about crazy people who are left on their own in big city ? In the right hands this could be a real fun movie . Just imagine the possibilities… Unfortunately the writers failed me . They weren't able to create interesting characters . I mean seriously from all those mental diseases they couldn't pick up interesting ones ? It's no wonder that jokes here are so lame and unimaginative . How can they be when our heroes aren't funny and interesting . What a waste of good actors . Michael Keaton ("Batman") , Christopher Lloyd ("Back to the future") , Peter Boyle ("Friends of Eddie Coyle") and Stephen Furst ("Animal house") deserved better .

The good thing is that I don't think anyone should feel offended by this movie despite a rather risky subject it deals with.

What a waste. Imagine what John Landis with a right script could do with this one … So sad. We could have a great comedy instead of forgettable Sunday afternoon movie. I give it 2/10.

Rise, my son, and walk!

[billyfish · 25 June 2003]

If you like Michael Keaton, Peter Boyle, or Christopher Lloyd, you will like this film. That's guaranteed. But even if you are not fans of the aforementioned talents, I think you will still enjoy this movie.

Keaton is at his sarcastic best with his role as a guy with anger problems. It's easy to empathize with him, especially in the situations he finds himself in. I don't know of any other contemporary actor who could deliver these lines with the same effect.

Similarly, Peter Boyle surpasses his performance in "Young Frankenstein" with his comedic portrayal of a man who believes he is Jesus Christ. His walk through a hospital is not to be missed!

Lloyd plays the control-freak authority figure wannabe with finesse. It would be difficult indeed to watch this talented comedic actor play a straight role.

Stephen Furst is excellent as a man who can only speak in baseball metaphors. Where the hell has he been since Animal House?

The plot is weak and quite predictable, but the lines delivered along the way are worth the effort. One of the great sleepers.

Another Abby Normal Peter Boyle movie.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 3 February 2022]

Peter Boyle really need to be putting on the pants when he goes to his therapy movies in this amusing but not great comedy that pairs him with Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd and Stephen Furst as for mentally ill patients being taken to a Yankees game but never get there. As a result, they end up on the streets of New York all night after their doctor (Dennis Boutsikaris) is attacked and left unconscious in an alley after witnessing a murder. These escapees from Macadamia Manor get into all sorts of mischief, with Keaton running into waitress girlfriend Lorraine Bracco and saving her from a bunch of obnoxious customers while the other three just end up in some very bizarre situations

I thought it ironic to see Boyle and Lloyd in the same movie together, often mistaking one for the other in the various oddball roles they've played on screen. Lloyd is very funny, appearing initially Stark naked and flashing his buttocks to the audience as boy walks around pretending he's the doctor. Later on, Boyle ends up in a all black church, reacting hysterically to the musical interlude, one extra in particular looking on at him as if he's about to break into fits of laughter. Lloyd goes around with his clipboard pretending to be a city inspector everywhere he goes, and of course, that gets him into loads of trouble. I was crying fits of laughter when Boyle ends up giving his testimony in church with hysterical results.

This is a likeable film, far from perfect but still with the ensemble in amusing situations but not really a great story. Keaton and Furst have the weakest material, and Keaton in particular doesn't come off that great because his character is more violent than funny. Shots of vintage New York City late at night in the 80's are fun, as is a shot of the original World Trade Centers scenes from New Jersey before the van goes through the Holland Tunnel, as well as some amusing comments about the tiles on the ceiling of the tunnel underneath the Hudson. The script was fine, but it's more a bunch of incidents rather than a real plot. In the end, it's like a very long extended comedy short with a flicker of a story, mainly memorable because of the two comic geniuswe in fun supporting roles. Director Howard Zieff has great comic timing, and could have been another Mel Brooks. Worth checking out in spite of its imperfections.

Not too bad.

[Peach-2 · 7/10 · 29 November 1998]

I enjoyed The Dream Team quite a bit. It was funny and entertaining. Michael Keaton alone is worth watching this one. Not a bad film for a rainy day.

The Dream Team

[jboothmillard · 7/10 · 5 June 2007]

In ways, this seems a similar concept to that of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest (besides the fact that the main character is genuinely crazy and committed). Basically, Dr. Weitzman (Dennis Boutsikaris) works with with patients in a sanitarium, and one day he convinces the administration to take one group of patients to a ballgame. But he stumbles into a crime in progress, and ends up in hospital. The group meanwhile, wander off individually into New York, forced to cope with an often more bizarre place than the sanitarium. The patients include sensible, but also easily stressed leader Billy Caufield (Michael Keaton), Henry Sikorsky (Cuckoo's Nest's Christopher Lloyd) wanting to be the authority and paying more attention to other peoples' behaviour than his own, Jack McDermott (Peter Boyle) who believes he is Christ, and Albert Ianuzzi (Stephen Furst) who never talks for himself and mainly imitates others speeches. Also starring Lorraine Bracco as Riley, Lizbeth MacKay as Henry's Wife and Olivia Horton as Henry's Daughter. In the end, the patients are the heroes when, after being arrested, they get their own way and get the real criminals, and get to see their ballgame. Very good!

A comedy with depth.

[Bing-18 · 7/10 · 9 February 2000]

Keaton plays a mental patient with a history of violence, on a field trip to see the Yankee's play with the rest of his therapy group, a neatness freak, played superbly by Christopher Lloyd, a man who things he's Jesus Christ, and a man who only appears to talk when the television does.

Their doctor is attacked and hospitalized without their knowledge and what follows is their attempts to prove their innocence, with the help of Keaton's ex-girlfriend.

Keaton brings the depth that he has brought to almost every role he's played, Lloyd gives a very touching performance while the film maintains the comedic moments which help carry the film along.

The film draws your attention to the stress of modern city life which has driven all the patients to the edge, though at the same time showing that there is still a sane person simply hiding behind a facade of insanity, which even some of the other doctors in the movie fail to see.

Initially, quite a funny movie, on repeated viewings it shows its greater depth, which should have been more explored by the writer and director.

A great movie

[dmrc · 10/10 · 19 February 2005]

Every member of my family loved this movie and has watched it at least twice. We just enjoy the laughs and hummer. It's great entertainment. The movie can be watched by any member and age group. A 10 year enjoys it as much as an 80 year old.

Don't understand why some comments say it missed the point etc, I think that sometimes we should have entertainment just for entertainment sake and this move fulfills the bill admirably. There are other venues to deal with mental health issues but this movie in its innocent manner certainly helps understanding not the other way around. Am looking at this very moment to buy a copy to give to a friend.

Had its Moments

[view_and_review · 6/10 · 17 March 2020]

And here it is all this time I thought that the Dream Team was the 1992 USA Olympic basketball team. I seriously thought the very term was invented in 1992. Sadly, I was mistaken because the original Dream Team was formed in 1989 with Billy (Michael Keaton), Henry (Christopher Lloyd), Jack (Peter Boyle), and Albert (Stephen Furst).

The four of them were patients in a mental institution. Billy was a compulsive liar, Henry fancied himself a doctor, Jack believed he was Jesus Christ, and the only words Albert would speak were baseball phrases. The four of them were escorted by their therapist, Dr. Weitzman (Dennis Boutsikaris), to New York City to attend a Yankees game. They never made it because their therapist and chaperone was hospitalized before they got there. Here's the kicker: Albert knew what happened to Dr. Weitzman while the other three didn't and Albert couldn't (or wouldn't) say. This led to a crazy escapade of them trying to find their doctor.

The movie had its moments but it was frustrating as well. I really wanted Jack to drop the Son of God routine and I desperately wanted Albert to speak. Their mental hang ups didn't make the movie funnier, just more annoying.

Could have been better

[gcd70 · 4/10 · 29 December 2007]

"The Dream Team" are four psychiatric patients who gather daily for group therapy at their institution. The wacky, motley crew includes an incessant liar with a history of violence, a perfectionist who thinks he's a doctor, a mute who is obsessed with TV, and a self righteous, religious nut who thinks he's Christ. When their real doctor is mugged on a field trip to Yankee Stadium, they are forced to form a reluctant team in order to resolve what becomes an ever worsening situation.

A very slow start is marginally redeemed by a lift in proceedings as the gang hit the road, but really we see no inspiration from any of the cast (Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, Peter Boyle and Stephen Furst) nor do we see any riotous comedy. Howard Zieff needed to give the movie a large injection of comic mayhem as the paper-thin plot was never going to carry it anywhere.

Never promised much, but "The Dream Team" certainly could have been better.

Sunday, April 10, 1994 - T.V.

Stephen Furst needs to get more roles

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 2 October 2006]

It's good to know that some movies are just big excuses to be goofy. "The Dream Team" is one such example. We get introduced to four mental patients: Billy Caulfield (Michael Keaton) is actually close to normal, Henry Sikorsky (Christopher Lloyd) believes himself to be a doctor, Jack McDermott (Peter Boyle) believes that he's talking to Jesus, and Albert Ianuzzi (Stephen Furst (yes, Flounder from "Animal House"!)) barely does anything. When their psychiatrist takes them to New York, he gets attacked by the mafia and the four patients are left to fend for themselves. From there, it's basically two hours of everyone being as loony as possible. Probably the best scene is the box scene; I nearly died laughing when that scene came up.

Anyway, this just goes to show what one can do for comedy. It's not to be missed. Also starring Dennis Boutsikaris and Lorraine Bracco.

Good time killer

[Idocamstuf · 7/10 · 25 August 2003]

This movie really isnt anything special, it doesnt really have anything new to offer, but it is pretty entertaining. Four mental patients are taken to a baseball game by their doctor, when they get there, the doctor is attacked by gangsters and rushed to the hospital, meanwhile the patients are stuck in the van waiting for him for hours, after a while they figure he isnt coming back, and start wandering around town, and getting into all kinds of trouble. It's certainly not a classic comedy, but it's still an amusing flick, especially if you like the actors. 6.4/10.

mediocre

[apogee_31 · 3/10 · 3 July 2002]

There are good movies and there are movies that are so bad that they're hilarious, thus making them good in a different way. Unfortunately, "The Dream Team" was neither and fell somewhere in the middle, making it unbearable to watch. The plot is terribly cliched and I was bored the entire time. You know it's bad when you're a college student and you'd rather do homework than watch this crap.