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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Mel Brooks (story) &
Ron Clark (story) ...
more
Release Date:
26 July 1991 (USA) more
Plot:
A filthy rich businessman bets a corporate rival that he can live on the streets of L.A. without the comforts of home or money, which proves to be tougher than he thought. full summary | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer (Graphic Novel Review)
(From Fangoria. 8 October 2009, 2:18 AM, PDT)
Mel Brooks To Be Honored By Academy On July 24
(From iCelebz. 2 July 2009, 6:45 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
A different Mel Brooks movie, but manages to make you smile and think more (31 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Mel Brooks | ... | Goddard 'Pepto' Bolt | |
| Lesley Ann Warren | ... | Molly | |
| Jeffrey Tambor | ... | Vance Crasswell | |
| Stuart Pankin | ... | Pritchard | |
| Howard Morris | ... | Sailor | |
| Rudy De Luca | ... | J. Paul Getty | |
| Teddy Wilson | ... | Fumes | |
| Michael Ensign | ... | Knowles | |
| Matthew Faison | ... | Stevens | |
| Billy Barty | ... | Willy | |
| Brian Thompson | ... | Mean Victor | |
| Raymond O'Connor | ... | Yo | |
| Carmine Caridi | ... | Flophouse Owner | |
| Sammy Shore | ... | Reverend at Wedding | |
| Frank Roman | ... | Spanish Interpreter |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Life Sucks (USA) (alternative title)
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
92 min | Finland:96 min (theatrical version)
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:K-3 (cinema release) (1991) | Finland:S (video rating) (1991) | Iceland:L | Australia:M | Norway:10 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13
Filming Locations:
Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA more
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The film's original title, "Life Sucks", was changed at the studio's insistence. more
Quotes:
Sailor:
Pops ain't gonna be around long; his 'elevens' are up.
Goddard Bolt:
What?
Sailor:
His elevens! Look at the back of his neck. You see them two cords, stickin' out? They make, like, an 'eleven'. Once their up that's it. He's a goner.
Fumes:
Maybe he'll come back in the world as somethin' better. Personally, when I die, I'd like to come back as a bird.
Sailor:
Why?
Fumes:
Ohhh, because man, I could fly free, and easy, and if I saw someone I really didn't care for, I'd drop a hot one on 'em!
Sailor:
When I die, I want to be 'excramated' and I want my ashes sprinkled in the old briny. At least I'd be part of the sea forever, and ever.
Fumes:
Oh, that's beautiful, man, beautiful. Like when I die, I want to go just like my daddy, boom! Peaceful, in his sleep.
Sailor:
Yeah, they told me my grandmother died peacefully in her sleep, It's a good way to go.
Molly:
NOBODY dies peacefully, in their sleep! It's what they tell people, to make them feel good. Want to know how people REALLY die, in their sleep?
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Matrix Revolutions (2003) more
Soundtrack:
EASY TO LOVE more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (31 total)
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Homelessness (or Houselessness as George Carlin stated) has been an issue for years but never a plan to help those on the street that were once considered human who did everything from going to school, work, or vote for the matter. Most people think of the homeless as just a lost cause while worrying about things such as racism, the war on Iraq, pressuring kids to succeed, technology, the elections, inflation, or worrying if they'll be next to end up on the streets.
But what if you were given a bet to live on the streets for a month without the luxuries you once had from a home, the entertainment sets, a bathroom, pictures on the wall, a computer, and everything you once treasure to see what it's like to be homeless? That is Goddard Bolt's lesson.
Mel Brooks (who directs) who stars as Bolt plays a rich man who has everything in the world until deciding to make a bet with a sissy rival (Jeffery Tambor) to see if he can live in the streets for thirty days without the luxuries; if Bolt succeeds, he can do what he wants with a future project of making more buildings. The bet's on where Bolt is thrown on the street with a bracelet on his leg to monitor his every move where he can't step off the sidewalk. He's given the nickname Pepto by a vagrant after it's written on his forehead where Bolt meets other characters including a woman by the name of Molly (Lesley Ann Warren) an ex-dancer who got divorce before losing her home, and her pals Sailor (Howard Morris) and Fumes (Teddy Wilson) who are already used to the streets. They're survivors. Bolt isn't. He's not used to reaching mutual agreements like he once did when being rich where it's fight or flight, kill or be killed.
While the love connection between Molly and Bolt wasn't necessary to plot, I found "Life Stinks" to be one of Mel Brooks' observant films where prior to being a comedy, it shows a tender side compared to his slapstick work such as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, or Spaceballs for the matter, to show what it's like having something valuable before losing it the next day or on the other hand making a stupid bet like all rich people do when they don't know what to do with their money. Maybe they should give it to the homeless instead of using it like Monopoly money.
Or maybe this film will inspire you to help others.