Hottoceame The Age of Commercialism

Bereamic Awesome Movie

Crwthod A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

mlsandal I don't write many reviews on movies. As much as I love watching them, I don't often spend the time to put down my thoughts. But every now and then, I watch a film that is so wonderful, so uplifting, that to not sing its praises would be an injustice. Brain Donors is one such film.If you've never seen the Marx Brothers at work, you are missing out. Their brand of comedy was something special, and it's a shame that today's market is so crude and vulgar. Brain Donors is a valiant effort to emulate the Marx Brothers style in a modern setting. it works, hysterically. John Turturro, as Roland T. Flakfizer, is like a whirlwind wearing glasses. Everything that comes out of his mouth is a one-liner, and his timing is impeccable. Groucho would be proud. If the rest of the film fell apart, you'd stay to watch Flakfizer. However, the supporting cast have their own charm. Bob Nelson, in the Harpo-type role as an easy-going man named Jacques, gets all the good sight gags, and his childlike wonderment at what he's experiencing makes his overgrown mannerisms all the more hilarious. Mel Smith, an accomplished comedian, unfortunately gets little to do here as the Chico of the group (Rocco Melonchek), but nevertheless, it's good to see him. Together, they pretend to be a competent trio of lawyer, gopher, and driver, with plans to clean up as the directors of a ballet company being started as the final wish of dead billionaire Mr. Oglethorpe. Flakfizer is able to charm the widow, but the family lawyer wants the job. There's also a snobby male ballet dancer they're trying to sign to the company, and a lovey-dovey couple (the weak point of the movie) both waiting for their big chance to dance. Flakfizer and crew come up with a way to help the young couple, earn all the money, and get rid of the family lawyer, but it's going to take every quip in Roland's arsenal, every toy in Jacques' coat, and every trick up Rocco's sleeve.The real strength of the movie comes from its almost-complete disregard of things like physics, time, and other scientific principles. If Brain Donors were animated, like the amusing claymation opening credits sequence, it wouldn't have been as funny. But this being a live-action film, it's impossible not to double over in laughter when Jacques is asked by the policeman to empty his pockets and he produces items of such size and number that you begin to wonder how many pockets his coat could conceivably have. Flakfizer's one-liners move at a rapid clip, and if you chuckle too hard at one, it's guaranteed you'll miss the next three. This is a film that demands repeat viewing.Rated PG, this is an early 90's film, and lots of innuendo made it past the MPAA (a magazine centerfold gag even shows naked breasts for a short time). However, these will likely sail over the heads of most children, and it's safe to say that this is still positive and lighthearted enough to be a family movie. Brain Donors is the funniest movie that no one has seen. You should go rent it with the utmost haste.

ReelCheese You'll have to watch BRAIN DONORS two or three times to pick up on all the zingers and zaniness thrown your way. John Turturro, Bob Nelson and Mel Smith are modern-day Marx Stooges who team up to run a business in one of the many things they know nothing about: ballet. In doing so, they fulfill the will of a millionaire, give their dancer friends a shot at the big time, and make smoke pour from the ears of the grumpy and villainous John Savident.But the plot merely serves as background to the antics of our three lovable heroes. Parts of BRAIN DONORS are gut-burstingly hilarious. Their efforts to sabotage the performance of snooty ballet hotshot George De La Pena include sending a man in a duck outfit on stage and inserting a whoopee cushion in the star's tights at a key moment. It's not highbrow comedy, but it nevertheless leaves you rolling in the aisles. Turturro's Roland T. Flakfizer's I-just-got-that-one quips are often priceless, and big Nelson's Jacques nearly steals the show.Even when it's not laugh-out-loud, BRAIN DONORS is good for a chuckle or at least a smile. Incredibly, despite its joke-a-minute pace, none of the humor is lame or feels forced. Much of the credit goes to director Dennis Dugan, better known for HAPPY GILMORE and BEVERLY HILLS NINJA, who keeps things rolling at a good pace and kept the running time under 80 minutes.BRAIN DONORS is not the greatest comedy ever, but it is in its own way an overlooked gem.

haildevilman Would Marx brothers style humor stand up in a modern setting? In this case, yes.No attempt was made to hide the obvious influence. That's in it's favor. A denial would have been insulting.Turturro did Groucho perfectly. Snappy quips all over the place. And his name (Roland Flakfizer) was another connection.Mel Smith had the Chico character down pat. Trade the Italian accent for a British one and ditch the piano playing, and there we are.Bob Nelson, a VERY underrated comedian, did a semi-verbal Harpo. His act has always been physical and it fit perfectly here.And Nancy Marchand did her best Margaret Dumont.As good as the originals? Impossible. But still funny as hell. You can't watch it just once I bet.

john_nielsen I saw this movie for the first time today on danish TV. Who has hidden this gem in all these years. Most recommendable, if you are a Marx Brothers fan, and who isn't ? The one-liners are great and the story is ridiculous. I love this film. When is it released on DVD ? I'll be the first in the queue to buy it. The film is full of wacky scenes, the acting is brilliant, especially Margaret Dumont, (sorry Nancy Marchand) but you almost can't tell it's not good old Margaret. John Turturro is far away from Barton Fink here, but most certainly very good. Bob Nelson does a Harpo Marx like no one else but Harpo. If you haven't seen this movie, do it and do it NOW !