Crazy People (1990)

A bitter ad executive who has reached his breaking point, finds himself in a mental institution where his career actually begins to thrive with the help of the hospital's patients.

Directors:

Tony Bill, Barry L. Young

Writer:

Mitch Markowitz

Stars:

Dudley Moore, Daryl Hannah, Paul Reiser

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dudley Moore	...	Emory Leeson
Daryl Hannah	...	Kathy Burgess
Paul Reiser	...	Stephen Bachman
J.T. Walsh	...	Drucker
Bill Smitrovich	...	Bruce
Alan North	...	Judge
David Paymer	...	George
Danton Stone	...	Saabs
Paul Bates	...	Robles
Dick Cusack	...	Mort
Doug Yasuda	...	Hsu
Floyd Vivino	...	Eddie Aris
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Dr. Liz Baylor
Ben Hammer	...	Dr. Koch
David Packer	...	Mark Olander

Storyline

Emory works in advertising, and is beginning to crack-up. His latest idea is honesty, e.g. "Volvos, Yes they are boxy, but they're safe". This doesn't go down too well with the boss, so Emory is sent to a psychiatric hospital to 'recover'. Meanwhile, back at the office, Emory's work is accidentally sent to the printers. His ads are a huge success. But now Emory has fallen for Kathy (another patient) and so doesn't want to leave.

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Plot Keywords:

mental institution | advertising | female psychiatrist | mental patient | mental illness | 

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Taglines:

Inside every normal person something is waiting to get out.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 April 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les fous de la pub

Filming Locations:

Chatham, Virginia, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$13,236,513

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures,Intuitive TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cinematographer Victor J. Kemper replaced D.O.P. Bill Butler as director of photography.

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Quotes

Kathy: You may think phone service stinks since deregulation, but don't mess with us, because we're all you've got. In fact, if we fold, you'll have no damn phones. AT&T - we're tired of taking your crap!

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits, a "special issue" of Advertising Age spins in, with a cover portrait proclaiming the main characters to be "Emperors of Madison Ave."

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Connections

Referenced in Heart and Souls (1993)

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Soundtracks

THE HELLO SONG
by Cal DeVoll

User Reviews

The ads are fun

Emory Leeson (Dudley Moore) and Stephen Bachman (Paul Reiser) are writing partners in a New York ad agency. Frustrated Emory develops writer's block after his wife leaves him taking everything. He's tired of lying and his painfully honest ads infuriate their boss Drucker (J.T. Walsh). Bachman sends him to a psychiatric retreat in the care of Dr. Liz Baylor (Mercedes Ruehl). His ads are accidentally released and become hugely successful. Drucker sends Bachman to get him back but he has fallen for beautiful Kathy Burgess (Daryl Hannah) and the relaxed lifestyle. He and the group of misfits start writing highly successful ads.

The ads are fun. The idea of satire on the advertising industry has promise. The execution has some fun moments with the crazy people group. The romance however has no heat. Hannah is nice but there is little chemistry. The Drucker villain is too broad. The satire has no bite. It's not horrible but it's forgettable.