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Funny Bones

  • 1995
  • R
  • 2h 8m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
3.8K
YOUR RATING
Funny Bones (1995)
Official Trailer
Play trailer0:30
1 Video
18 Photos
ComedyDrama

An unsuccessful comedian uncovers a family secret and learns the true price of letting inherent talent shine.An unsuccessful comedian uncovers a family secret and learns the true price of letting inherent talent shine.An unsuccessful comedian uncovers a family secret and learns the true price of letting inherent talent shine.

  • Director
    • Peter Chelsom
  • Writers
    • Peter Chelsom
    • Peter Flannery
  • Stars
    • Jerry Lewis
    • Oliver Platt
    • Lee Evans
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    3.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Chelsom
    • Writers
      • Peter Chelsom
      • Peter Flannery
    • Stars
      • Jerry Lewis
      • Oliver Platt
      • Lee Evans
    • 62User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 8 wins

    Videos1

    Funny Bones
    Trailer 0:30
    Watch Funny Bones

    Photos18

    George Carl, Freddie Davies, and Lee Evans in Funny Bones (1995)
    Peter Chelsom and Lee Evans in Funny Bones (1995)
    Leslie Caron, Peter Chelsom, and Lee Evans in Funny Bones (1995)
    George Carl, Freddie Davies, and Lee Evans in Funny Bones (1995)
    Jerry Lewis, Leslie Caron, Amir Fawzi, and Ruta Lee in Funny Bones (1995)
    Lee Evans and George Kahn in Funny Bones (1995)
    Oliver Platt in Funny Bones (1995)
    Lee Evans in Funny Bones (1995)
    Peter Chelsom in Funny Bones (1995)
    Peter Chelsom and Lee Evans in Funny Bones (1995)
    Leslie Caron, Peter Chelsom, and Lee Evans in Funny Bones (1995)
    Funny Bones (1995)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jerry Lewis
    Jerry Lewis
    • George Fawkes
    Oliver Platt
    Oliver Platt
    • Tommy Fawkes
    Lee Evans
    Lee Evans
    • Jack Parker
    Leslie Caron
    Leslie Caron
    • Katie Parker
    Richard Griffiths
    Richard Griffiths
    • Jim Minty
    Sadie Corre
    • Poodle Woman
    Oliver Reed
    Oliver Reed
    • Dolly Hopkins
    George Carl
    • Thomas Parker
    Freddie Davies
    • Bruno Parker
    Ian McNeice
    Ian McNeice
    • Stanley Sharkey
    Christopher Greet
    • Lawrence Berger
    Peter Gunn
    Peter Gunn
    • Nicky
    Gavin Millar
    • Steve Campbell
    William Hootkins
    William Hootkins
    • Al
    Terence Rigby
    Terence Rigby
    • Billy Man
    Ruta Lee
    Ruta Lee
    • Laura Fawkes
    Peter Pamela Rose
    Peter Pamela Rose
    • Jenny
    Ticky Holgado
    Ticky Holgado
    • Battiston
    • Director
      • Peter Chelsom
    • Writers
      • Peter Chelsom
      • Peter Flannery
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In a crucial mid-film scene Jack Parker (Lee Evans) appears at a small Blackpool nightclub as "Val Radio", performing a "dummy act". A Vaudeville term for an act where a comedian mimes in time to music or a recording. Jerry Lewis got his start performing a "dummy act" with phonograph records he played on stage.
    • Goofs
      During the final scene, while the camera is showing the police at the base of the pole, a spotlight is throwing a very clear shadow of the camera, complete with 'rubber ducky' antenna on the actors.
    • Quotes

      Nicky: Where were you born?

      Jack Parker: Blackpool.

      Nicky: Why Blackpool?

      Jack Parker: I wanted to be near to my mother.

      Nicky: Have you lived in Blackpool all your life?

      Jack Parker: Not yet.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Dolores Claiborne/Funny Bones/Major Payne/Circle of Friends/Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      La Mer
      Music by Charles Trenet

      Lyrics by Charles Trenet

      Performed by Charles Trenet

    User reviews62

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Artfully filmed, beautifully acted dark comedy...
    Although mostly overlooked at the time of release, this is undoubtedly one of the best films of the 90's. Elegantly surreal, Funny Bones is filled with wonderful visuals and a timeless quality.

    At the center of this story stands Tommy Fawkes, a reluctant young comedian struggling in his famous father's (Jerry Lewis) shadow. Fawkes is masterfully portrayed by Oliver Platt, an incredibly talented actor who is often placed in supporting roles. Adept at all roles, it's always refreshing to find him as our lead. Platt has a particular gift for portraying the edgy hero, reminiscent of Karl Malden at his best. Somehow, he manages to make Tommy dark, yet uncomplicated.

    In contrast, we have Jack Parker--seemingly the simplest of characters, he is the darkest and most complicated of all. This offered many of us our first glimpse of Lee Evans, a brilliant young UK actor/comedian with an astonishing penchant for physical comedy. His energy alone is enough to leave the viewer completely awestruck. If Fate is kind, we should have the good fortune of seeing a great deal more of him.

    As for the rest of this stellar cast, Leslie Caron is charming as ever, George Carl and Freddie Davies are pure energy, and Jerry Lewis is, well, Jerry Lewis (there is no higher compliment I can pay him).

    Essentially, this film is a requisite for anyone who enjoys surreal, dark comedy with a philosophical edge and an often slapstick pace.

    "The dark moon, she pulls the tides also." --Thomas Parker (Freddie Davies)
    helpful•15
    0
    • Cari-8
    • Aug 13, 1999

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 31, 1995 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Los comediantes
    • Filming locations
      • The Circus, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Hollywood Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $532,268
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $26,946
      • Mar 26, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $532,268
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 8 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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