Wired (1989)

The ghost of John Belushi looks back on his troubled life and career, while journalist Bob Woodward researches Belushi's life as he prepares to write a book about the late comic actor.

Director:

Larry Peerce

Writers:

Bob Woodward (book), Earl Mac Rauch (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Chiklis, Ray Sharkey, J.T. Walsh

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Chiklis	...	John Belushi
Ray Sharkey	...	Angel Velasquez
J.T. Walsh	...	Bob Woodward
Patti D'Arbanville	...	Cathy Smith
Lucinda Jenney	...	Judy Belushi
Alex Rocco	...	Arnie Fromson
Gary Groomes	...	Dan Aykroyd
Jere Burns	...	Lou Connors
Clyde Kusatsu	...	Coroner Thomas Noguchi
Tom Bower	...	Detective
Earl Billings	...	Detective
Dakin Matthews	...	Washington Post Editor
J.C. Quinn	...	Comedy Coach
Steve Vinovich	...	Studio Executive
Matthew Faison	...	Doctor Robbins

Storyline

We open up on the evening of March 5, 1982, with the dead body of John Belushi being reeled into a morgue. Suddenly, he awakens as if nothing had happened to him, and is about to undergo an autopsy. Frightened and confused, John goes back to retrace his steps, and find out what went wrong with his life. Meanwhile, journalist Bob Woodward researches Belushi's life as he prepares to write a book about the late comic actor. The story climaxes with Woodward directly conversing with Belushi during the actor's dying moments.

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Plot Keywords:

actor | ghost | autopsy | campy | elvis presley impersonator | 

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Taglines:

The laughs and times of John Belushi.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Belushi - Wired

Filming Locations:

Fort Bragg, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$681,054, 27 August 1989, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$1,089,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

FM Entertainment, Lion Screen Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was criticised due to the addition of several fictional elements that were not present in the book, such as the guardian angel character, and the addition of Bob Woodward himself as a character.

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Quotes

John Belushi: I'm only 33 years old. I just had my birthday.
Angel Velasquez: That's right. And you are officially deceased.
John Belushi: Why am I dead?
Angel Velasquez: 'Cause you're stupid. Next question.
John Belushi: Where are we going?
Angel Velasquez: We're going for a ride, Hemo.

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Connections

References Saturday Night Live (1975)

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Soundtracks

Soul Man
Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter
Performed by Michael Chiklis

User Reviews

A very artsy biography of the Late Great John Belushi

I am a huge Belushi fan and yes I would have liked to seen a more straight forward bio-pic. However, Belushi was not a straight forward guy he was a wild-man and this movie suits his comedic style. You never knew what you were going to get from John and this movie does a good job of capturing that late 70's early 80's craziness. Michael Chilklis is wonderful as Belushi, sometimes I even forgot that someone was playing John, he captured his Walk, Talk, Craziness, and Sincerety very well. The movie like John's life makes a huge anti-drug message. If anything John's life did change the way Hollywood dealt with addiction and aside from his comedic genius this is something I believe he will be remembered for.