Mr. Wrong (1996) User Reviews

good cast, not so great movie

[triple8 · 3/10 · 26 August 2006]

SPOILERS THROUGH:

I watched this movie never having heard anything about it so I was able to decide for myself, without knowing anything about what it was going to be about. I'm not going to say there wasn't any comedy in this movie because there was. There were moments of total hilarity due to an hysterical Bill Pullman who was really in top comedic form. The problem is, when those moments were NOT happening the movie just wasn't very good. It was a great premise but there were a lot of things about the movie overall, that I did not enjoy.

This movie was strongest in the beginning, where I thought it was going to be a movie similar to "Bridget Jones Diary". But I felt the movie went downhill fairly quickly. I guess this is what one would call a "black comedy" but as with many of this genre, I felt the movie was to focused on the meanness and not so much on the comedy. When Pullman's character first starts unraveling it's OK but after awhile it becomes a bit of overkill. The movie just becomes way to cruel, as more and more bad things happen to Ellen's character. That's the focus of the movie really, not the comedy. It's almost like the movie's seeing how many awful things can happen to Ellen'c character, and how much of her life can be destroyed etc etc. It didn't make me laugh, it made me a bit dazed and frankly I just wanted the movie to end.

Throwing ants and gum on someone, and that person losing their job etc etc is not what I consider to be funny. The truly funny moments existed when Pullman was on screen because, as utterly annoying as his character came to be, he was hilarious. So yes there were a few moments where I laughed out loud.

But those moments did not make the movie, for me, a great one. Another thing I didn't like was that the movie became way to over the top, a Virtual cornucopia of melodrama. Inga & Bob,rather then being funny, were a bit obnoxious. The whole wedding storyline was way to much. And the movie felt so LONG. I mean I know it wasn't but it FELT like it was.

Ellen was very good as the lead though and Pullman, as mentioned was REALLY good and should probably have his own comedy television show. In a way I think I would have liked this better as a straight on comedy without the mean element or as a romance where Pullman's character did NOT change but stayed Normal. Or maybe even as a thriller or a film Noir. Basically I just felt this movie didn't work as a black comedy. I wouldn't consider this one of the worst movies ever made however. I would not recommend it either.

if only the script could have been better

[jeffcartwright · 5/10 · 30 July 2002]

i usually really enjoy joan cusak, bill pullman, and joan plowright....but either the director or the script just didn't give them a character at all to play. honestly the only thing i really did enjoy about this film was ellen...i actually thought she did a very nice not typical "ellen" role

Sure, it wasn't that great, but....

[djecatepec · 5/10 · 4 August 2003]

I sure didn't think this was one of the best movies I've ever seen, but I also never expected to find it on the all time 100 worst list either! Sure, Ellen and Bill weren't at their best, but hey, there were some good laughs here. Normally I wouldn't waste my time commenting on a mediocre movie, but I just don't think, with so many other truly BAD flicks to chose from, that this one is top 100 material, maybe I'm weird, sorry!

Pitch Black Comedy With Numerous Funny Moments

[burbank904416010 · 11 November 2002]

Mr.Wrong has been unfairly reviewed. Designed as a vehicle for the considerable comic talents of Ellen Degeneres, this perhaps wasn't what many people were expected. Okay so its got a glossy sheen and typical 'madcap' comedy music but its tone is much darker than your average comedy.

Ellen plays Martha, a single women who thinks shes found the man of her dreams in Whitman, played with creepy assurance, by Bill Pullman. After making the mistake of telling him to act like himself, it becomes clear that he is completely insane.

He makes her shoplift, sends her endlessly random gifts, steals mexican kids for her and in the most uncomfortable scene of all, in an effort to show her how much he loves her, he breaks his finger for her.

For some people this may sound more like the plot of a thriller and some critics did find the film a little distasteful but for black comedy fans, this is great fun. Degeneres is fantastic as the goofy heroine, providing most of the films laughs.

The random humour of the film is what makes it really funny. Disgruntled ex Joan Cusack's attempts to strike back at Degeneres are great. 'Do you want gum in your hair?', 'Prepare to be consumed by ants!', 'Don't be nice to her! Pull her hair!'

It may not be to everyone's tastes but this is a real comedy gem.

Awful

[thenarcoleptic · 1/10 · 7 January 2021]

Only film I've ever left the theater in the middle of.

Horrible

[Eagles409 · 1/10 · 12 February 2003]

I will say this before anything else, I have never thought that Ellen Degeneres was funny at all, I've never laughed at anything she has said ever. With that said, I didn't expect much going in, and I was still disappointed. Never once did I believe there was any chemistry between Ellen and Pullman, the movie is just awful on every level, I never laughed or even so much as smiled. It is one my least favorite movies of all time. If you are thinking of renting this for laughs, instead bang your head on the floor for 2 hours, it's less painful. 1/10

awful

[R0BTRAIN · 1/10 · 15 January 1999]

This is possibly the worst movie ever made. It is at least the worst movie I've ever seen. Not only were most of the scenes unfunny, but they hurt me to watch them. "Dark Comedy" or not, this film belongs in the genre of "Bad Comedy."

Quite shocked at how bad this film was

[TheLittleSongbird · 1/10 · 1 April 2011]

I do love comedy, and I like romance, together they can be a mixed bag. Some work, some don't. Mr. Wrong sadly is one of those romantic comedy films that doesn't work. In fact I was quite shocked at how bad the film was. It does have a talented cast, Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Pullman and Joan Cusack, but they are wasted by tedious direction, a predictable story, shallow and clichéd characters and unfunny and unfocused script. DeGeneres can be very funny, but because of her material even she is quite horrendous. Pullman is bland, and Cusack tries hard but it is an example of wasted talent at the end of the day. The pace is off as well, the film just ambles along and at no point does it recover. The film looks okay locations wise, but the editing could have been tighter. Overall, lame and unfunny and makes a waste of a good cast, as far as the movies of 1996 go it is not as abysmal as Ed and Bio Dome but it is among the worst. 1/10 Bethany Cox

No possibly about it...

[Hito · 1/10 · 25 February 1999]

This is definitely the worst film I've ever had the displeasure of seeing. When it came out I felt like a moment of my life had been brutally wasted when I saw it, even IF it was for free. Ellen and Bill have both done much better in their careers...and I have done better at picking movies.

It's not wrong to like this film, it's very funny!

[inkblot11 · 7/10 · 4 May 2005]

Martha (Ellen DeGeneres) is a single, thirty-something television producer who has had very bad luck in her relationships with men. Therefore, when she meets Whitman at the jukebox (Bill Pullman), a self-proclaimed investor-poet, she is smitten with his intelligence and his good looks. However, after a couple of dreamy days and nights, Whitman decides to reveal his "true self". He tells Martha he's going to take her on a fun date...they are going to go shoplifting. This is the just the beginning of the swell times ahead! Poor Martha! Will she never find true love? DeGeneres and Pullman display full-octane comedy in this film. The viewer can not help but laugh at their antics. And the supporting cast is such a dream, with Joan Cusack, Dean Stockwell, Joan Plowright and others! The script is humorous, the costumes are a pleasure, the San Diego setting is very nice, what more could one ask for? Please give this film a try, you'll like it!

Let's talk about "black comedy"...and how this is a total failure...

[merklekranz · 4/10 · 23 May 2008]

"Mr. Wrong" had to be written as a "black comedy", but unfortunately misses the mark by a wide margin. The main problem is that the film is not outrageous enough. Bill Pullman's character resorts to becoming a mean stalker after his rejection by Ellen DeGeneris. At this point the movie turns into nothing more than a glorified cartoon. In order for dark comedy to succeed, it can be outrageous, but not mean spirited. Killing perverts to finance their dream restaurant worked wonders in "Eating Raoul". Here, simply destroying someone's life, for one's own pleasure, is totally off-putting, and not funny. A big disappointment, and definitely not "black comedy". - MERK

A pleasant surprise. Don't believe the bad press!

[dyostab · 8/10 · 28 February 2003]

I just saw "Mr. Wrong" on cable TV, and it surpassed all my expectations. The movie boasts a pitch-perfect cast, great gags, and genuine heart. I defy anyone not to at least smile when the children's chorus launches into "I Want to Know What Love Is" in Spanish. Please note: I'm not some shill for whoever sells the home video of "Mr. Wrong." Nor am I hopelessly devoid of taste: I know why movies like "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" are funny, and why movies like "North" suck. "Mr. Wrong" has been unjustly placed in the latter category. If you're willing to take a chance on an "ugly duckling" movie, make this the one.

I've been through that, so...

[Mari!! · 6/10 · 26 January 2000]

OK, everybody HATED this film, and I would've hated it too, if it wasn't for my last love affair... A similar stuff happened to me as well, and in some very funny parts of the film I saw myself, trying to break up but not being heard... Awful situation, believe me! So, this film made me laugh at my life, actually... it's weird when you watch it, but oh well. If you're in a relationship like that, or have been in one, you'll probably enjoy it.

Quite disturbing. Don't know what it's supposed to be

[policy134 · 2/10 · 23 March 2008]

It's quite horrible. Ellen DeGeneres has been one of my favorite comedians for a long time, but her first foray into feature films was quite a mind blowing experience and mostly in a negative way.

It's not that there is anything wrong with the premise. DeGeneres plays a woman who's getting on in years and meets a seemingly perfect man, Whit played by Bill Pullman. He seems to be perfect until Martha (DeGeneres' character) makes the fatal mistake of telling him to be himself. What happens next: Martha discovers he's a complete lunatic.

Everyone is terrible in this movie, even a seasoned pro like Dean Stockwell as a slimy private detective and by far the worst comedic performance of that year is performed by Joan Cusack as Whit's even more psychotic ex.

If one can call it a redeeming quality, the film does spark some weird curiosity of how it all ends. However, the end is incomprehensible and totally unbelievable. It seems as if the writers just gave up and said: "Well, we can't make it any worse!" DeGeneres hasn't had a starring role since this disaster, although she had a fairly good supporting role in EdTV.

What more can you say except this was a total misfire from everyone involved. Bob Goulet did however do a fairly good job of playing, Bob Goulet.

Loved it!

[makuala8 · 8 September 2003]

I would have to disagree with the overall rating of this movie- personally I loved it! It's so funny! I would definitely tell anyone that's interested in seeing it to do it and ignore the bad reviews of it- hey who know's you may end up loving it!!!

poor comedy, but makes a good case for lesbianism

[cherold · 5/10 · 11 January 2004]

The idea of a dream guy who on closer inspection turns out to be horrendous has potential, but the movie itself is pretty dismal. It relies heavily on Ellen's inability to put together a sentence like, "he's not my boyfriend, he's a psycho." This sort of thing worked better in silent movies, where writer's didn't have to bed over backwards coming up with dialogue that doesn't say anything. Ellen was just too much of a victim and the movie failed to take advantage of her charm and played her as pretty much of a doormat. Pullman actually managed to get more laughs with his sincere stalker, but neither he nor Ellen had much of anything to work with. It's basically watchable, and there's an occasional laugh, and Cusack is always amusing, but really, no excuse for something this poor to have been made and released.

Oddly enough, my girlfriend liked this a fair amount.

Good acting, bad script

[Yonzie · 4/10 · 6 May 2007]

My girlfriend told me to tape this from TV and I had no idea what it was about. Initially I was pleasantly surprised by seeing Bill Pullman in a lead role. The last movie I saw featuring him was "While You Were Sleeping" which I thought was great.

Mr. Wrong starts out reasonably good, but fairly quickly the stupidness becomes too much. Ultimately, it is made bearable by good acting from Degeneres and Pullman and a lot of funny moments. The moments in-between was unfortunately not just boring or neutral but plainly painful. This is obvious from the start when Martha Alstons (Degeneres) secretary brays on about receiving flowers from her boyfriend on valentine's day and Martha returns it in a totally non-funny way. I guess it could have been funny, but it was just painful to watch. Repeat ad nauseum with some genuinely funny moments in-between and you have this movie. In conclusion, its watchable and good for a few laughs, but if there's something more interesting available, just steer clear.

Ellen Degeneres in a very unfunny disjointed non-comedy.

[Mr.R · 1/10 · 31 January 1999]

Mr. Wrong is a case of decent concept, lousy execution. Ellen is laughable as the romantic lead. Bill Pullman has moments of believable lunacy as Ellen's pursuer. Movie loses steam about a third of the way through. I had a hard time staying awake.

Rent it, Tape over it, Return it!

[SwatchDog · 1/10 · 7 July 2000]

Poor Ellen. She's finally getting some respect in Hollywood with excellent performances in such films as edTV, The Love Letter, etc, yet has to deal with having starred in this flop.

Talent such as herself, Bill Pullman, Joan Cusack, Dean Stockwell, Ellen Cleghorne, and the sensational Joan Plowright is wasted in this turkey.

I must admit however that it did start off promising - the typical single woman living in the shadow of recently married sister, meets nice guy, blah blah blah.. but went totally downhill soon afterwards. What caused Whitman (Pullman) to be such a hyperactive fool? And Joan Cusack and her feeb slave Bob? I love Joan, she's had some great roles (hence the 2 oscar noms) but not even her charismatic prowess can save this hairball. She has to deal with a brainless character who cuts couches and puts gum in Ellen's hair! Sheesh - and the Mexican kids?? Well, I laughed at that scene.. I found it to be quite racist also mind you.

Unfunny, unoriginal and uninspired right up to the end wedding where Ellen is in rollerblades or something and Joan is sporting a rifle. Spare me the hyperbole and give me my ninety minutes back.

2.5/10

Sorry Ellen! You lost on this one

[Tiltpoul · 1/10 · 12 August 1999]

This is one of the worst films of all time. I think Ellen is hilarious, but nothing she could do could save the horrible script and plot. Avoid it at all costs. I give it one star

This black comedy has its laughs, but it also has some dead spots.

[Art-22 · 6/10 · 10 January 1999]

I can't say I was completely disappointed in this black comedy, but it could have been better. Ellen DeGeneres spends a lot of time silently reacting to the goings on, perhaps the fault of the director. And the script doesn't handle well what she could have done to stop the harassment of Bill Pullman once she tries to stop seeing him. I also disliked the flashback technique used by the scriptwriters. On the plus side, I enjoyed the kookiness of Joan Cusack, who steals the film, while Dean Stockwell, Joan Plowright and Ellen Cleghorne are excellent in their small roles.

I was appalled at some of the reviews, many of which complained that stalking was inherently an unfunny situation inappropriate for comedy. Nonsense! Lighten up, you guys - this is a black comedy! Murder, torture, sadism and mental illness are also inherently unfunny, but very few complained about that in the very funny Arsenic and Old Lace (1944).

Will make you switch teams

[mls4182 · 1/10 · 4 July 2022]

Just like it did to Ellen ... and ME.

Who wrote this? Did anyone read it before signing up for it? Not even Joan Cusak could help this.

Even worse, Bill Pullman's big arreolas were distracting, even disturbing. For a minute I thought it was Ellen who was shirtless.

Ellen's brand of Comedy is funny and smart

[luludavis · 9/10 · 22 December 2004]

I wish Ellen made more movies. The talk show is cool but I think that she's wasting her talent. "Mr. Wrong" is a good case in point. Ellen is totally convincing in her role of a woman disappointed by, and still searching for, love. The casting was brilliant. Hope Davis, Bill Pullman, Joan Plowright, Dean Stockwell and Joan Cusack are an awesome ensemble. The premise of the movie is simple and straightforward enough to be believable but broad enough to allow for any number of crazy things to happen. Her character's job as a talk show producer is brilliant because it allows for cameos of all of Ellen's comic colleagues. It is also an old-fashion comedy in the tradition of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World, and all of the other 60's comedies showcasing stand-up acts like Martin & Lewis, Bob Hope, etc. This movie was a lot of fun and I've seen it quite a few times.

Very Funny

[anita-18 · 7/10 · 23 July 1999]

I'm not sure why this movie is unpopular. I laughed out loud. At first I thought "Oh what a cute little movie" until the moment Whitman lets his guard down. Then it just gets out there. Joan Cusack (or "Joanie Baby" as we call her) is hilarious. My favorite scene: The sisters reaction to each other when Martha describes her first date with Whitman. I love this movie, and I'm usually pretty picky. In a way, it reminds me of After Hours, just not as dark.

Wrong wrong wrong

[clh204 · 1/10 · 15 June 2000]

even though Mr. Wrong came out before DeGeneres herself "came out", that's not what makes this movie smack with the bad aftertaste of *yeechhh* What starts out as a mildly funny portrayal of an overzealous would-be-beau turns into mostly annoying over the top hijinks and finally muddles into an inconsequential mess so embarassing that I was almost ashamed to have been sitting in the theater for it. at least I paid to see it in the dollar seats. Even though that was four years ago, it was SO bad that I felt a need to come here and comment on the bad-ness. The final scene is so ludicrous a resolution I swore up and down it had to be a dream sequence. what I wouldn't do for that two hours back.