4 pazzi in libertà

Funny comedy about a group of mental patients who take a trip to the big city under the supervision of their doctor, and wind up being framed for a murder they didn't commit. Far-fetched and far from great, but made enjoyable by a few funny fish-out-of-water/mistaken-identity sequences and the spirited performances by Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd and Peter Boyle: all three of whom, it may be noted, seem to have lost their careers in recent time...but were at the top of their games during the era and are certainly at home here in a film that is never quite as good as it could be but is nevertheless a whole lot better than I ever expected it would be.

I like the beginning sequence with Ray Charles' "Hit the Road Jack" over the credits. I don't know why - maybe because I saw it years ago and it's just stuck with me - but I always think of this when I picture the film in my head.

I actually love this movie. I used to watch it over and over, back in the old satellite days, lol. The concept and storyline aren't ones that have been remade time and time again. When I still use quotes today from a film I first watched over 25 years ago, it's a good one! Michael Keaton and Peter Boyle are especially hilarious in this. If you like Michael Keaton in his goofier roles, you'll enjoy this one immensely.

I mean it. After seeing him in this movie, and Young Frankensteeen, and the occasional episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, I can't take him seriously in movies like Joe, Outland and even as Wizard in Taxi Driver. His performance in this movie is absolutely hilarious. I've always had a soft spot for this underrated gem. It's basically a screwball version of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," using that movie's famous baseball game scene as its starting point: An easy-going doctor takes his patients to a Yankees game, and runs into trouble on the way there. And I don't really mind the crime subplot here as much as I did in Three Men and a Baby. Everyone shines here--Michael Keaton (his reference to the World Trade Center was funny then, bittersweet now); Christopher Lloyd; Boyle; even Lorraine Bracco, in a small role. And it's full of memorable quotes. This movie never fails to put a smile on my face.

This movie has the perfect dose of comedy, heart warming touches and sentimentality to make it an instant joy. It is the story of four mental patients, one who can't speack, one who is a neat freak, one who believes he is Jesus and one who can't control his temper as their doctors decides to take them on a field trip to a baseball game. But when their doctor is beaten up by a pair of corrupt police men they decide to go out on there own to find their doc and help catch the people who hurt him. The joy ride begins when they are framed for the crime. This movie is heart warming and touching in ever sense of the word and it is also very funny. The cast are all great as the loveable loonies especially Peter Boyle as the man who thinks he is Jesus. This is great family entertainment that will guarentee a smile from people of all ages.

If you like Michael Keaton, Peter Boyle, or Christopher Lloyd, you will like this film. That's guaranteed. But even if you are not fans of the aforementioned talents, I think you will still enjoy this movie.

Keaton is at his sarcastic best with his role as a guy with anger problems. It's easy to empathize with him, especially in the situations he finds himself in. I don't know of any other contemporary actor who could deliver these lines with the same effect.

Similarly, Peter Boyle surpasses his performance in "Young Frankenstein" with his comedic portrayal of a man who believes he is Jesus Christ. His walk through a hospital is not to be missed!

Lloyd plays the control-freak authority figure wannabe with finesse. It would be difficult indeed to watch this talented comedic actor play a straight role.

Stephen Furst is excellent as a man who can only speak in baseball metaphors. Where the hell has he been since Animal House?

The plot is weak and quite predictable, but the lines delivered along the way are worth the effort. One of the great sleepers.