Eating Raoul (1982)

A relatively boring Los Angeles couple discovers a bizarre, if not murderous, way to get funding for opening a restaurant.

Director:

Paul Bartel

Writers:

Paul Bartel, Richard Blackburn

Stars:

Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel, Robert Beltran

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Bartel	...	Paul Bland
Mary Woronov	...	Mary Bland
Robert Beltran	...	Raoul Mendoza
Susan Saiger	...	Doris the Dominatrix / Nurse Sally Cummings
Lynn Hobart	...	Lady Customer
Richard Paul	...	Mr. Cray - Liquor Store Owner
Mark Woods	...	Hold-up Man
John Shearin	...	Mr. Baker - the Horny Patient
Darcy Pulliam	...	Nurse Sheila
Ben Haller	...	Dewey
Roberta Spero	...	Swinger
Vernon Demetrius	...	Swinger
Arlene Harris	...	Swinger
Buster Wilson	...	Swinger
Marta Fergusson	...	Swinger

Storyline

When a Paul enters his apartment to find Mary fighting off a swinger who has gotten into the wrong apartement (and thinks that Mary is just playing hard to get) he hits the man with a frying pan, killing him. Their dreams of running a small resturant seem to be in jeopardy until they decide to dispose of the body, keep the wallet, and to advertise for other sexually oriented visitors who are summarily killed, bagged, robbed and disposed of. This goes along quite well until one night a burglar named Raoul breaks in and cuts himself in for a piece of the action.

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | sex party | cult film | cannibalism | black comedy | 

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Taglines:

A tasty comedy of bad manners.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

24 March 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Comiendose a Raúl

Filming Locations:

City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$350,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bartel,Films Incorporated,Quartet

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 83 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Edie McClurg: As Susan, a swinger in fur.

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Goofs

When Raoul comes to the hospital to meet Mary, as she backs away from him the medical equipment is sitting atop a mechanic's rolling toolbox.

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Quotes

Sex Shop Salesman: Hey, you taste it, you're gonna buy it, alright?

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Crazy Credits

"The Gang" is credited as the performers of the Doggie King commercial.

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Connections

Referenced in Gravy (2015)

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Soundtracks

Reprise of Closing Theme
(uncredited)
Music by Roger-Roger
Thomas J. Valentino Music Inc

User Reviews

A heartwarmingly black comedy full of murders

This movie keeps ending up on my top ten list, no matter how many others come and go with the years. Director Paul Bartel began with a ridiculous premise, and then had everyone play it perfectly straight, which resulted in a comedy that doesn't telegraph its laughs. It's evident that the film was lovingly polished (again) in postproduction, down to the level of tiny incidental sound effects that add immeasurably to the hilarity if you happen to catch them. The story is full of murders, but there's no gore 'n guts here; it's all as discreet as an Agatha Christie novel, where Death is tastefully signaled by a thud from another room. EATING RAOUL is an excellent introduction to the topics of Los Angeles, food, swingers, and real estate loans, and resist as you may, you'll end up cheering for Paul and Mary as they work toward their dream of opening their very own restaurant.