Muertos de risa (1999)

Director:

Álex de la Iglesia

Writers:

Jorge Guerricaechevarría (writer)
Álex de la Iglesia (writer)

Release Date:

12 March 1999 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Nino and Bruno are two comedians who reach the heights of success with their duo act, turning them into huge TV celebrities...

Plot Keywords:

Fame | Male Rear Nudity | Animal Death | Breasts | Rivalry

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Santiago Segura	...	Nino
El Gran Wyoming	...	Bruno
Álex Angulo	...	Julián
Carla Hidalgo	...	Laura
Eduardo Gómez	...	El Pobre Tino
José María Íñigo	...	Himself
Uri Geller	...	Himself
Manuel Tallafé	...	El Mago Silber
Jesús Bonilla	...	Sargento '23 F'
Alfonso Lussón	...	Berasategui, el productor
Ramón Barea	...	Realizador '23 F'
Rafael Luna	...	Ricky, el peluquero
Sancho Gracia	...	Legionario brutal
Ramón Churruca	...	Legionario brutal (as Ramón Txurruca)
Sergio Pazos	...	Legionario brutal

Also Known As:

Dying of Laughter (Canada: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some nudity.

Runtime:

113 min | Japan:111 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Spain:T | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain

Company:

Lolafilms

Trivia:

Director Álex de la Iglesia considered casting Fernando Esteso as Nino and Andrés Pajares as Bruno.

Movie Connections:

References "Un, dos, tres... responda otra vez" (1972)

Soundtrack:

Libre

so absurd it's scary

I enjoyed this film, if not for its comprehension, then at least for its outrageous, odd characters and plot. I love the surreal imagery, and although it has some dirty, disturbing scenes, the point of view is so unaffected and indifferent that its even humorous. This movie is a dark comedy, because it deals with many issues that in reality would be disturbing: death, insanity, loneliness, envy, hatred, etc....And yet the film attempts quite indifferently to use these motifs in its humor.

There are also many subtle details in the movie that catch you by surprise, disgust, or shock. For example in one scene when nino is talking to his manager in prison, in the background you will see a woman with her top open and....well, you get it.

I don't think this movie is perfect, but I appreciate the artistic freedom it took to make it, and the violent, absurd, insane, vile shocks from its twists and turns that leave you strangely and happily confused.