Critical Condition

For a Pryor film, this one is disappointing, or may'be I just found it weaker than normal, but anything with Richie in, is worth it. Here in a great titled flick, he's a framed escapee, made a psychotic patient, that has him now masquerading as a hectic doctor. But the jobs does have it's perks, with Pryor examining a young hottie's goodies, one standout scene in the whole mad affair. This film is very entertaining, though, as in seeing how Richie will get out of this. The film has a very interesting cast, including a bit part with Wesley Snipes as an ambo, and Joe Mantegna, has a heartless, hospital director, who's taken a hostage by our loonies. The cast on the patient's arm scene with Pryor laying the cast on pretty thick, with Pryor showing a young intern, was another funny moment. As was too, him trying to convince the hospital board of his psychotic state, when he describes in unsavoury and disturbing detail, pictures that our show to him. The film's not unfunny. It's just not as funny as most of Pryor's stuff, where as you know, with his films, the bar is set pretty high. It's still bloody enjoyable, the "what a shame factor" present. Again in the end, it all ends well, for our framed ex con/conman, Pryor. Still one for Pryor fans.

Richard Pryor pulls off a good performance as Kevin and a doctor.Bob saget and the rest of the cast perform well.it's enjoyable and I'd recommend it to all adult audiences.

As much as I love Richard Pryor, this movie is well, awful. I haven't seen this movie in years and recently watched it on one of the paid movie services. I originally saw it when it was released in the theaters because I have always followed Richard Pryor's career. The concept of the movie just doesn't fly and having Randall "Tex" Cobb as a main character didn't help any. Honestly, I won't invest another hour and a half to ever watching this again. There are also some other "B" actors such as Joe Mantegna and Bob Saget but they are not very good either in this movie. Sorry Richard, you are a great performer but this movie stinks.

Con man Kevin Lennihan (Richard Pryor), framed in a jewel smuggling, tries for an insanity plea and is sent to a hospital for review where he is confused with a doctor and takes over the hospital when a major storm hits.

I had never heard of this film until now (2016), which is a bit of a shame. Pryor is great, and it's awesome to see Bob Saget in a supporting role (though he isn't really given any funny lines). Joe Mantegna is here, too. This seems like it should be some sort of cult classic, but in stead it is forgotten.

And there may be a reason for that. Despite the funny premise, and some great moments, it never feels as funny as it should be. I don't know why. Is the script not polished enough? Is the director to blame? Or is it just very understated?

Confidence man Richard Pryor is caught with dangerous racketeers and is found guilty of the same crimes. To delay, he pretends to be crazy. He is sent to the psychiatric ward of a hospital for appraisal. While he is trying to escape, a storm strikes, the hospital is cut off from the mainland, and the power goes. Because he is wearing a lab coat, people think he is a doctor and look to him to take charge.

It's not the best comedy Pryor ever starred in, nor anywhere near the best movie Michael Apted directed.. He didn't write the script and has only one scene of wild improvization. Nonetheless, the role is a good fit for him and despite the foreordained ending, there are good moments. Bob Dishy is excellent as a surgeon who starts out thinking of nothing but legal liability. Bob Saget is very good as a resident lacking all self confidence, and Wesley Snipes can be spotted in an early, tiny role.