Madhouse

This was one hilarious movie to begin the 90's. I've always been a fan of John Larroquette since he appeared on Night Court. This movie rocks! And I was just a pre-teen kid when I saw this in the theater, and it's still funny to me now that I'm an adult!

It's about John Larroquette and Kirsty Alley playing these yuppies who have some relatives visiting, and then before we know it, practically the whole neighborhood becomes their houseguests! Also the news interviews were amusing, too!

So, if you're in a mood for a screwball comedy from this past decade, you're in for a ride with this one! I highly recommend it!

John Larroquette, Kirstie Alley, and Dennis Miller star in this incredibly hilarious film. Mark and Jessie Bannister (John Larroquette and Kirstie Alley) have the perfect marriage, a nice house and wonderful jobs. When long-lost relatives Fred and Bernice show up uninvited everything starts to fall apart. Soon they have about 8 guests in their house and have nowhere to go. Then they decide to get even. Filled with a tremendous amount of humor, "Madhouse" is a great comedy that is worth watching again and again.

This engagingly nutty farce stars TV icons John Larroquette and Kirstie Alley as Mark and Jessie Bannister, an average, fairly successful L.A. couple who've just moved into their dream home. Wouldn't you know it: their serenity is almost immediately interrupted by a nonstop barrage of uninvited house guests. Circumstances spiral way out of control, ensuring that these human pests are obliged to stay at Mark and Jessies' place for an extended period of time.

At best, the material by debuting writer / director Tom Ropelewski is no more than mildly amusing. It's certainly not for everybody, considering just how abominable some of these characters are, such as Jessica Lundys' obnoxious Bernice, the wife of Marks' cousin Fred (John Diehl), bratty psycho in training C.K. (Aeryk Egan), the son of the next door neighbour Dale (played by The Exterminator, a.k.a. actor Robert Ginty), or Jessies' spoiled rotten, stuck up, gold digging sister Claudia (Alison La Placa). But the cast is so good that they keep this wacky comedy watchable for 91 minutes.

By the time the movie has ended, we'll see a baby elephant running amok, a pet cat that steadily uses up a number of its nine lives, a police raid, an on air nervous breakdown for reporter Jessie, a harness designed for the pregnant Bernice when she slips and falls, and some remodelling (when Dale and his brood move in, he takes it upon himself to make bleachers (!) for the TV set).

This talented cast makes the most of the situation; Larroquette, Diehl, and La Placa are particularly funny. Also appearing are Bradley Gregg as Claudias' no-good son Jonathan, and Dennis Miller (making his film debut), sporting his ridiculous early 90s hair as Marks' co-worker Wes.

It's all too easy to sympathize with our heroes as they try to take back their house.

Six out of 10.

MADHOUSE, in my opinion, is an excellent feel-good screwball comedy which will leave you smiling! If I had to deal with a bunch of uninvited guests the way that Mark (John Larroquette) and Jessie (Kirstie Alley) did, I would go just as crazy as they did. Still, I say it's always a good idea to be a good Samaritan. Last night, before I had to leave to go somewhere, I watched half of this, and this morning, I watched the whole thing, and I must say that I really enjoyed it. I even purchased it last night. Anyway, if you want to know what kind of mayhem ensues, see the movie for yourself. I guarantee you that you will have a smile on your face afterward.

Madhouse is a movie that you will watch one time and be through with it. Yes, parts of it are very funny, but over all, it is not such a great movie.

Mark and Jessie Bannister are a couple that buy a new home. They have great jobs, loving marriage, and are successful. When relatives come to visit, it all changes from there. Pretty soon there are over eight houseguests and Mark and Jesse's life get turned upside down.

If you want to see this movie, see it on t.v., don't rent it. 4/10