Just Crazy Enough

This film begins with two newborn twins being dropped off at the doorsteps of a large house with one of the babies being accepted while the other is rejected and apparently sent to an orphanage. The two young boys grow up with the first one named "Fred" (Chris Kattan) receiving an excellent education and becoming a psychiatrist. The other one named "Ted" (also played by Chris Kattan) has no such luck and eventually becomes a mental patient at a local mental institution. Things get reversed, however, when Fred goes to that specific facility and is mistaken for Ted who not only assumes his identity and but also slides into Fred's family as well. Now rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this could have been a good movie but the comedy sadly lacking. For starters, I didn't especially care for the main character who just wasn't that funny. Likewise, even though the relationship with his wife was already strained, there wasn't any chemistry between Fred/Ted and his wife "Lorna" (Susana Gibb) at any point. Likewise, I didn't especially care for the rather cardboard performance of Brooke Anna Leedy (as the young patient named "Dolores") either. For what its worth, though, I thought Eleanor T. Threatt (as "Nurse Nancy") put on a reasonable solid performance--but it wasn't nearly enough for me to rate this film any higher than I have.

This is actually pretty good. There are many worthwhile acting performances. Chris Kattan, of course, as the brothers. Eleanor Threatt as Nurse Nancy starts out mean but really shows compassion for the patients in this place. Joshua Norman as one of the big orderlies is the same but on a lesser scale. Several actors playing patients also give distinctive performances and I'm sorry I don't remember any of their names. One in particular is Ted/Fred's roommate and is obsessed with books and movies. Another does a nearly perfect Rain Man. And then there is the brains behind the escape plan. And let's not forget Brooke Anna Leedy as the obviously sane Dolores, who shouldn't be where she is.

The actors playing Fred's family also do a good job. You really have to like all of them.

Jack Hays as Mr. Philbrook is a fine combination of mean and charming.

I especially liked the classical music playing in Fred's car.

One major disappointment for me was Jason Padgett as Mr. Greene. He is just mean with no redeeming qualities, and nothing more than a cartoon.

Sure, the situation is crazy. But once the premise is established, you can take it where you want to, and this movie does so admirably. What the movie accomplishes more than anything else is to drive home the importance of putting family ahead of other priorities. A secondary goal is to make it clear that family does not necessarily mean relatives.

I had a good time.

Definitely should be on the must see of B movie's...Kris is great! okay, so i don't usually leave reviews. however, when i saw that this was getting kicked around i thought i better let people who like kattan know that he's still a funny, funny guy...he doesn't need the big Hollywood budget to lead a great show. believe me, if you like his work, you'll like this. it does seem to be made on a shoestring budget and even his suit doesn't fit him like the people had to shop at the goodwill just to make what budget they had to work with...then there's this really great actor, she's a black nurse, then the guy that sit's and eats donuts all the time is perfectly cast and it's just a great great movie...definitely not a 'TIME waster' type B movie. all in all you'll love it if you like Kris. Plus, you can redbox it for a $1.20! ;)

Great comedy movie. Good acting. Better than many high budget Hollywood films. Good family flick. Minimum dirty language; no "F***" bombs. The good guys win in the end. We are seniors finding it difficult to find movies for families and seniors. If you are looking for a clean comedy, here's a good movie. We would enjoy watching this movie with our grand kids. I tried to come up with minimum ten lines of text. I'm a 79 year old guy trying to follow the rules; we enjoyed the movie and would watch it again. However, the 10 line minimum makes it hard for me to review the movie. I'll not get trapped in the "ten line minimum" again. Watch the movie, you will like it; I suggest that you skip the review, unless you are more long winded than I.

I gave it a shot while cooped up in the house, but Kattan and the writing is unbearable. The only thing I ever found Kattan funny in was his Mr Peepers character in SNL.