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Checking Out

  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
4.8/10
520
YOUR RATING
Jeff Daniels in Checking Out (1988)
Trailer for Checking Out
Play trailer1:34
1 Video
17 Photos
Comedy

A successful family man who works for an airline becomes consumed by fear of death after his colleague and best friend dies in front of him from a heart attack while telling the setup for th... Read allA successful family man who works for an airline becomes consumed by fear of death after his colleague and best friend dies in front of him from a heart attack while telling the setup for the joke: "Why don't Italians like barbecues?"A successful family man who works for an airline becomes consumed by fear of death after his colleague and best friend dies in front of him from a heart attack while telling the setup for the joke: "Why don't Italians like barbecues?"

  • Director
    • David Leland
  • Writer
    • Joe Eszterhas
  • Stars
    • Jeff Daniels
    • Melanie Mayron
    • Michael Tucker
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.8/10
    520
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Leland
    • Writer
      • Joe Eszterhas
    • Stars
      • Jeff Daniels
      • Melanie Mayron
      • Michael Tucker
    • 9User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Checking Out
    Trailer 1:34
    Checking Out

    Photos17

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    Top cast43

    Edit
    Jeff Daniels
    Jeff Daniels
    • Ray Macklin
    Melanie Mayron
    Melanie Mayron
    • Jenny Macklin
    Michael Tucker
    Michael Tucker
    • Harry Lardner
    Kathleen York
    Kathleen York
    • Diana
    Ann Magnuson
    Ann Magnuson
    • Connie Hagen
    Allan Havey
    Allan Havey
    • Pat Hagen
    Jo Harvey Allen
    Jo Harvey Allen
    • Barbara
    Ian Wolfe
    Ian Wolfe
    • Mr. D'Amato
    Billy Beck
    Billy Beck
    • Father Carmody
    Trudy Dochterman
    • Val
    • (as Trudi Dochtermann)
    John Durbin
    John Durbin
    • Spencer Gillinger
    Adelle Lutz
    Adelle Lutz
    • Dr. Helmsley
    Felton Perry
    Felton Perry
    • Dr. Duffin
    Allan Rich
    Allan Rich
    • Dr. Haskell
    Danton Stone
    Danton Stone
    • Dr. Wolfe
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    • Pharmacist
    Matthew Hurley
    • Joey Macklin
    Courtney Brooke Sonne
    • Mo Macklin
    • (as Courtney Sonne)
    • Director
      • David Leland
    • Writer
      • Joe Eszterhas
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Before the film was shot, director David Leland assured Joe Eszterhas that he would not change Eszterhas' script in any way. When Eszterhas saw a rough cut of the film, he was angry to discover that new subplots and characters not in the original script had been introduced. Eszterhas initially demanded that his name be taken off the film, but when Leland removed most of what Eszterhas was objecting to, the screenwriter allowed his name to be put back on.
    • Quotes

      Pat Hagen: I feel great! Like a jackrabbit.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: See You in the Morning/Disorganized Crime/Speed Zone/Checking Out/Little Vera (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      End of the Line
      Composed and Performed by The Traveling Wilburys

      Published by Ganga Publishing B.V.

      Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.

    User reviews9

    Featured review
    7/10

    One terrific scene

    This movie had one of the most funny moments I have ever seen. I have rarely laughed so hard. It was purely situational and lacked a punchline. It takes place when Daniels meets that fellow hypochondriac that is a multi-millionaire. He places so much faith in this guy and his so called health secrets. The fact is the rich health nut is a total hypocrite. He's a complete slob as depicted when he throws down his food wrappers. For a guy so concerned with his own health he ruins the very environment with which he occupies. The culmination of this reality hits Daniles like a mack truck when he sneaks into the limo of the "afluent health guru"-ha ha. The place is an utter pig sty. The limo is filled with rotting food and trash. Even funnier is all the books and health gear that is rat packed into this limo. It is at this moment that Daniels realizes he has been duped by his own madness. He realizes his misplaced faith in such a moron. Giddy with excitement from his moment of epiphany he starts laughing hysterically and starts trashing the contents of the limo. It's so funny because moments ago he thought this guy was all put together. Quite literally he can throw everything and anything around and this health nut wouldn't know the difference.

    Other than that the movie is just OK. If that scene fails to impress you so be it.
    • johnnyx_xcat
    • Jan 31, 2007
    • Permalink

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Checking Out?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 21, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Handmade Films website
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Lebensmüde leben länger
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • HandMade Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $30,877
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,730
      • Apr 23, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $30,877
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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