Un crime dans la tête

This is a much more watchable film than many of the lightweight vehicles Candy took part in in his post-SCTV career. His part could have been played by any number of comic actors, but John steps in and gives it his best shot. He's always fun to watch on screen, and he has a good time here without going over the top, which he tended to do.

DELIRIOUS is a weird mixture of Groundhog Day, Soapdish, and various Rod Serling scripts in which the characters in a story are being controlled by someone at a typewriter. It's a workable premise, and the actors make the most of the stock soap opera characters they play. David Rasche, Emma Samms, Raymond Burr et al were well-chosen for their parts. Bit parts by Robert Wagner and Marvin Kaplan (the voice of Choo-Choo on TOP CAT) are also memorable. Mariel Hemingway takes some flak on this comment board for her part, but she seemed suited for the role and moved smoothly from her gawky character to the soap opera "devil woman." This is a pleasant comedy but not as consistently funny as SOAPDISH. The script by veteran writers of Gilligan's Island and Bewitched suffers from a lot of unnecessary "language" (for what could otherwise be a family film) but moves along at a brisk pace (except for the longish horse-riding scenes).

"Delirious" is an amiable comedy starring John Candy. I liked it but also must admit that the story is slight and the concept, though interesting, seems difficult to maintain for 96 minutes.

Jack (John Candy) is the writer and producer for a daytime soap opera. However, when he's in an accident, he awakens to find himself living in the soap...and everything is very real. However, he also learns after a while that when he writes on his typewriter, things in this world change. So, he soon manages to become a 'Wolf of Wallstreet'...a rich playboy who is catnip for women and with almost god-like powers! What's next? Well, you can pretty much predict it from the clumsily written meet cute with Janet early in the story.

I enjoyed this one but just felt it had difficulty maintaining its momentum. It also was incredibly easy to predict much of what happens as a result of this weird experience...so much so that the finale seemed like a foregone conclusion. A good time-passer but not among Candy's best.

Just as I disagreed with the critics whom universally panned DELIRIOUS, I must disagree with most IMDB reviewers. I believe this is a genuinely funny movie, quite original and inspired. Sure, there are more than a few things in it that don't work (particularly the casting of Mariel Hemingway as the love interest); but, what writer hasn't a fantasy of being a part of his creation? The high point of the movie is the "guest" appearance by Robert Wagner. The big surprise is how funny Raymond Burr turns out to be. Despite her "spoiled brat" vixenishness, I would still take Emma Samms over the awkward, nerdy Miss Hemingway. The cruelist humor in the movie is the disintegration of Samm's brother. It's also probably the funniest thing about the film.

DELIRIOUS may not be to EVERYONE'S taste, but I happily purchased the laser disc a few years back. I watch it about once a year, and call it my "writer's fix". Enjoy it if you are a mind to...

This is one superb movie. I can watch it over and over and over again without tiring of it. John Candy is as engaging and as superbly comic as ever in this little gem. Also has a great cast including Emma Samms, Charles Rocket, Raymond Burr and Mariel Hemingway. ONE TO WATCH!

I can watch this movie over and over and never get tired (then again, I haven't ever tried watching it 10 times in a row in the same day)... Candy does his own sort of persona with his trademark charm without getting annoying, and the way the film turns constantly as he tries to solve his dilemma is great (particularly when he starts to write while drunk). Not a masterpiece by any standard, but a fun flick...