Product Description

PHILIP RUNS A CRISIS HOTLINE WITH CATHERINE AND MRS MUNCHNIK. THAT'S THE EASY PART, NOW IT GETS TRICKY

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23949 in DVD
• Brand: SONY PICTURES HOME ENT
• Released on: 2001-12-04
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Chinese, English, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 97 minutes

Amazon.com
Writer-director Nora Ephron hit a low point with this disappointingly dreary comedy set in a suicide clinic on Christmas Eve. The joke is supposed to be that all of the crisis counselors are themselves a pack of lovable losers, led by a badly toupeed Steve Martin. But it's a short step from lovable loser to annoying dweeb and most of the people in this movie cross that line very quickly. It's too bad, because the cast includes Madeline Kahn, Robert Klein, Rob Reiner, Garry Shandling, and Adam Sandler. Somehow, Ephron manages to restrain this lineup from doing anything funny. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

What are they *TALKING ABOUT?!!!* I give it 5 stars
I was shocked to read the faint praise of the editorial reviewer! Gosh, this is one of my most favorite movies, especially for Christmas!

Yes, they're a bunch of lovable losers, yes, I'm a sentimental slob, and no, I think the movie is an absolute winner.

Be warned: I think movies like "Blazing Saddles", "Dracula: Dead & Loving It" are funny. I like Get Smart, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, etc etc. I guess I'm just not reviewer material!

I think Madeline Kahn is brilliant in this; so is Adam Sandler (which is saying a lot; ... well, he's not actually brilliant, but he does a great ensemble job--I don't know how to describe it. He contributes, okay?) Everyone is at least competent.

The movie is far far greater than the sum of its parts. To the director, I must say: wow. You're good, kid.

Arch

Twisted sense of humor.
I laughed all the way through this movie. It has a definite WARPED sense of humor, so be prepared. Either you'll love it, or hate it. I chose to love it.

All the characters are great in this film. I always enjoy Steve Martin, and he was quite amusing and clever in this movie. Rita Wilson (Tom Hank's real life wife) is quite delightful as Martin's lovely but underappreciated coworker (and potential love interest). The late Madeline Kahn is my particular favorite--she has the most sharp and clever sense of humor, and her talents are displayed well in this movie.

There are plenty of other future stars in this film (Adam Sandler, Jon Stewart, and so on) and they all do well in their parts.

The story goes awry during the last 20 minutes or so, so suspend your disbelief. It isn't supposed to make sense, or be realistic. (Or at least, it ought not be!) It's just a bizarre and funny movie. There's also lot of gallows humor here, so be warned, and just allow yourself to appreciate it!

Christmas on Venice Beach is certainly a unique experience in this movie!

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!
It puzzles me. Nora Ephron made "Sleepless in Seattle", "You've Got Mail", and "Michael". They all grossed over $100 million at the American box office. "Mixed Nuts" grossed six million at the American box office, and has been subject to bad reviews. How can anyone be so mean as to say something bad about THE greatest Christmas movie of ALL TIME? Why is "It's a Wonderful Life" so hyped up? I thought that was ok. This on the other hand, is one of the main things I look forward to every holiday season. I LOVE THIS MOVIE! Nora Ephron has made a feel good holiday classic which is a present to unwrap every holiday season. I wish everybody would realize that "Its a Wonderful Life" is "Isthar" compared to this wonderful movie. Ephron has directed a brilliant cast. Every single person in this movie is great. Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, Adam Sandler, Liev Schrieber, Rita Wilson, Juliette Lewis, etc. But there is one person who stands out the most and even beats Martin's charming performace-- Madeline Kahn. Just about anything she said had me in hysterics. She makes the role of the unhappy and lonely Mrs. Munchnik so lovable, nobody could have done it better. I thought she definatly deserved an Academy Award for this performance, she put in the funniest performance by an actress in a movie EVER! No other actress made me laugh as much as she did. Kahn is the only reason I watch "Cosby", because normally I never watch TV shows. After seeing her in this, you cannot resist her charm. Madeline also brings some of Mrs. Munchnik with her in her character in "Cosby". She is wonderful.Madeline Kahn, along with director Nora Ephron and a brilliant cast, make this a classic. If you want to escape your holiday woes, this will really lift your spirits with a laugh a minute and a touching ending. Buy this movie and watch it constantly in December like I do. It is a hunderd times more enjoyable than actully opening presents. For Steve Martin fans, this is his best and most charming. Nora Ephron should re unite this cast for another movie like she did with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan after the "Sleepless" success. No Christmas is merry without this movie. Need I say any more