Veteran 12-stepper Stuart Smalley (Al Franken) has a successful cable-access show until his worst nightmare comes true: He's moved to the dreaded 2:45 a.m. slot, a fate worse than death in the TV world. Eventually Stuart's show is canceled, and he must face unemployment with the help of his various 12-step sponsors. Just when he is as low as he can possibly get, he is forced to face his completely dysfunctional family for a funeral back home in Minnesota. This hotbed of addictive and compulsive behavior includes an alcoholic father (Harris Yulin), a passive mom (Shirley Knight), an overeating sister (Leslie Boone), and an all-around addict brother (Vincent D'onofrio). All of this bad behavior is almost too much for the recovered Stuart, as he is forced to face his family's weaknesses as they all battle to understand one another. Through a series of familial disasters and increasingly dysfunctional behavior, Stuart must decide whether his family is worth saving or if he must leave them all behind for good. Director Harold Ramis has successfully taken the popular SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE skit and turned it into a charming little movie that is littered with small surprises throughout.
Al Franken stars in this biting satire as veteran 12-stepper Stuart Smalley, in a role originated on television's SNL. Stuart is forced to accept the unfortunate facts of his dismal life when his cable-access show is canceled and he loses a beloved family member at the same time. He must come face-to-face with his completely dysfunctional family and finally decide if they are worth saving.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1.Original Theatrical Trailer
Director of Photography
Lauro Escorel:
Production Designer
Joseph T. Garrity:
Source Writer
Al Franken: Actor, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Costume Designer
Susan DeSanto: COSTUME DESIGNER\GOLDY II
Review 1:
"...Director Harold Ramis frequently keeps slapstick, human comedy and surreal elements jelling..."
Source: USA Today
p.6D 04/13/1995
Review 2:
"...Good enough, smart enough, and -- doggone it -- likable..." -- Rating: B+
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.76 10/20/1995
Review 3:
"...Mr. Franken can write irresistible one-liners..."
Source: New York Times
p.C18 04/12/1995
Review 4:
"...A genuine surprise: A movie as funny as the SNL stuff, and yet with convincing characters, a compelling story and a sunny, sweet, sincerity shining down on the humor..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.47 04/12/1995
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