The Darwin Awards (2006)

To investigate bizarre insurance claims that transpired in either accidents, death or both, a former cop and an insurance investigator travel throughout the country to look at the cases up close.

Director:

Finn Taylor

Writer:

Finn Taylor

Stars:

Joseph Fiennes, Winona Ryder, David Arquette

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Arquette	...	Harvey
Ty Burrell	...	Emile
Josh Charles	...	Paramedic
Kevin Dunn	...	Insurance Exec
Nora Dunn	...	Mrs. Pearlman
Joseph Fiennes	...	Michael Burrows
Judah Friedlander	...	Simon
Lukas Haas	...	Farley
Tom Hollander	...	Henry
Brad Hunt	...	Stan
Juliette Lewis	...	Joleen
Julianna Margulies	...	Carla
Tim Blake Nelson	...	Perp
Alessandro Nivola	...	Ad Exec
Chris Penn	...	Tom

Storyline

To investigate bizarre insurance claims that transpired in either accidents, death or both, a former cop and an insurance investigator travel throughout the country to look at the cases up close.

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Plot Keywords:

blowjob | fellatio | oral sex | voice over narration | shower | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violent images, some sexuality and drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the search in the library for the author, behind Michael is a man reading a book. The book is actually "The Darwin Awards" book of stories much like the ones in the film.

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Goofs

When Burrows and Siri are driving in the car, before they hit the metal grate, the documentary filmmaker is not in the car. Also, there is no other vehicle shown. However, after the accident, the documentary filmmaker is with them again.

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Quotes

Bob: [while drooling over a muscle truck in a showroom] What's its MPG?
Car Salesman: [sneering] Who gives a shit?

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Crazy Credits

The film was granted MPAA certificate #999999, which, technically, won't be awarded until decades later.

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Connections

References Cops (1989)

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Soundtracks

Radar Love
Written by George Kooymans and Barry Hay
Performed by Golden Earring
By Arrangement with Red Bullet Records, Netherlands

User Reviews

Funny, but uneven

This was the coveted ticket at Sundance, apparently. We arrived 2 1/2 hours before the screening and were shocked to find that we were nearly 90th in line! We luckily got into our screening,but unfortunately, the movie was a disappointment. The cast is stellar; Joe Fiennes and Winona Ryder are the headliners, and there are many cameos, including Tim Blake Nelson and Robin Tunney, who starred in director Finn Taylor's last movie, Cherish. In addition, Chris Penn (who unfortunately passed away just the day before the premiere of this film at Sundance), Wilmer Valderrama, Alessandro Nivola, Ty Burrell, Juliette Lewis, Tom Hollander, and David Arquette were some of the other cameos included.

Joe Fiennes plays a police detective who is thrown off the squad due to his propensity to faint at the sight of blood. He and Ryder's character get together and try to find out what makes these "Darwin Award" winners tick. I am not sure that point is ever resolved in this film, which is part of the reason why it is uneven. Also, there is just no chemistry between Ryder and Fiennes. I really didn't care whether or not the two of them "got together" or not.

There are a few laughs in the film as the Award "winners" demonstrate what they did to "win." The problem is that they just didn't effectively sum up the movie. It was a little confusing. I will probably rent the DVD when it comes out so that I can see if I just missed it. Another problem is the documentary "filmmaker" who tags along. Why? He seems pointless.

All in all, we had a great time at the screening; Fiennes, Valderrama, Burrell, and Brad Hunt, as well as Finn Taylor, and the author of the book (The Darwin Awards) led the Q and A session afterward. That was the best part of the screening! My recommendation is that if you want to see a good Finn Taylor film, rent "Cherish".

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 July 2006 (United Arab Emirates)

Also Known As:

Darvina balva

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$309,408

Company Credits

Production Co:

3 Ring Circus Films, Blumhouse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 94 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1