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:

elvis impersonator | dying young | actor | ghost | autopsy | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The producers received a letter from an attorney representing Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, John Landis, Bernie Brillstein, Michael Ovitz and Lorne Michaels. The attorney warned the producers not to depict his clients in the film or he would file a lawsuit for invasion of privacy on their behalf. Ovitz also called producer Edward S. Feldman and tried to discourage him from making the film.

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Quotes

[Judy kisses John all over his face as he lies buried up to his neck in sand]
John Belushi: The lips! You forgot the lips! Kiss these lips! Please, I'll even marry you!
Judy Belushi: What did you say?
John Belushi: I don't know, I never said that before.
Judy Belushi: Do you mean it?
John Belushi: Why don't you come closer and I'll show you...

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Rock Around the Clock (2018)

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Soundtracks

You Don't Know Like I Know
Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter
Performed by Michael Chiklis

User Reviews

a wild man

Someone once said that John Belushi was a combination of Lou Costello and Vlad the Impaler! He wanted to grab the whole world and snort it. This was Michael Chiklis's first big part (he's now the rogue cop on The Shield). He does a convincing job bringing Belushi to life in all his madness. They do a good recreation of him and Dan Aykroyd doing their Blues Brothers routine. Did Belushi have a sub-conscious death wish? It would seem he did. Like the phantom cabbie tells him "Life is not for everyone". The whole "angel" thing is original but it does make the movie confusing and hard to follow. Belushi wanted it all but it was too much. Like Elvis, Belushi was a case of too much and too fast.

Details

Country:

USA New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Wired

Filming Locations:

Fort Bragg, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$681,054, 27 August 1989

Gross USA:

$1,089,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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