The Dream Team (1989)

Four mental patients on a field trip in New York City must save their caring chaperon, who ends up being taken to a hospital in a coma after accidentally witnessing a murder, before the killers can find him and finish the job.

Director:

Howard Zieff

Writers:

Jon Connolly, David Loucka

Stars:

Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, Peter Boyle

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Keaton	...	Billy Caufield
Christopher Lloyd	...	Henry Sikorsky
Peter Boyle	...	Jack McDermott
Stephen Furst	...	Albert Ianuzzi
Dennis Boutsikaris	...	Dr. Weitzman
Lorraine Bracco	...	Riley
Milo O'Shea	...	Dr. Newald
Philip Bosco	...	O'Malley
James Remar	...	Gianelli
Jack Gilpin	...	Dr. Talmer
MacIntyre Dixon	...	Dr. Verboven
Michael Lembeck	...	Ed
Bill Goffi	...	Singer / Accordionist
Jack Duffy	...	Bernie
Brad Sullivan	...	Sgt. Vincente

Storyline

Dr. Weitzman works with patients in a sanitarium. Convinced that all that his "group" needs is a some fresh air and some time away from the sanitarium, he persuades the administration to allow him to take them to a ballgame. Unfortunately, he accidentally stumbles across a crime in progress and ends up in hospital. The group is stranded in New York City, forced to cope with a place which is often more bizarre than their sanitarium.

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Plot Keywords:

mental patient | murder | murder witness | mental institution | mental illness | 

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Taglines:

If they knew the city was this crazy, they would have stayed in the asylum. [dvd]

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack (Peter Boyle) says, "Wah Wah Wah", impersonating the sound in a cartoon when someone gets tricked or outwitted. Working with the same director, Howard Zieff, in Slither (1973) (with James Caan), Boyle did the same sound.

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Goofs

As the van pulls out of the hospital grounds, no traffic is passing in either direction, and the only traffic control is a small portable STOP sign at the guard's booth. However, when the van enters the public road, it passes a long line of vehicles that have obviously been held up for the film production.

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Quotes

Pastor Lester: Who is gonna witness for me? We got the Lord on the line! Who's gonna take the call? Please don't leave God on hold!

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Connections

References The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)

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Soundtracks

Star Spangled Banner
Music by John Stafford Smith (uncredited)
Lyrics by Francis Scott Key (uncredited)
Performed by Robert Merrill

User Reviews

fun group

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Dream Team

Filming Locations:

151 Central Park West, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,704,860, 9 April 1989

Gross USA:

$28,890,240

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$28,890,240

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1