Funny Bones | | Cast : | Oliver Platt, Jerry Lewis, Lee Evans | | Director : | Peter Chelsom | | Studio : | Buena Vista Home Vid | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned | | Released Date : | March 31, 1995 | | DVD Released Date : | September 02, 2003 | | Language : | English (Dubbed) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 30, 2005 | | Summary | Somewhere Beyond the Sea | Content
 | Whether you label this film as a black comedy or as a dark familial drama with bits of comedy thrown in, FUNNY BONES is a brilliantly dark masterpiece containing first rate acting performances by all of the principals, and especially Lee Evans (There's Something About Mary, Mousehunt). In fact, it is Lee Evans who super-charges this movie with his complex and outrageously funny portrayal of the disturbed comic genius Jack Parker.
The supporting cast, including the brilliant Jerry Lewis, Leslie Caron, George Carl, and Oliver Reed, all offer strong performances as does Oliver Platt, playing the failed comic Tommy Fawkes, who goes back to the Blackpool, England of his early youth in search of the secrets of comedy. He will eventually uncover many of these secrets, as well as some dark family secrets he didn't anticipate finding. Lewis plays a supporting role as Tommy's father, a superstar comic who rules the Las Vegas strip and overshadows his son.
The quirky citizens of Blackpool, including the aforementioned Jack Parker, add charm, comedy, and warmth to this film. At times disturbing, heartbreaking, suspenseful, and hysterical, FUNNY BONES is an odd little film, but one that lends itself to many viewings.
I review very few films, but feel compelled to recommend FUNNY BONES since few people seem to have seen it and because it is one of my favorite films of all time.
Jeremy W. Forstadt |
| Rating | | | Date | February 21, 2005 | | Summary | An insightfully dramatic look at comedians and family. | Content
| I have grown to love this movie. The first time I saw it I was put off and disturbed. Yet, it stayed with me. I wanted to and did see it many more times. The tension between Oliver Platt, as the failed son of superstar Jerry Lewis, is palpable. The shock Platt's character suffers when learning his father stole his material from Blackpool vaudevillians seems to redeem and reinspire Platt. The many Blackpool comics who you see add splashes of color and old-fashioned slapstick talent to this drama. The "Parker Brothers" from whom Lewis stole his material are completely bizarre yet utterly charming. Platt's newly discovered half-brother (Lee Evans) is the unheralded star of the show, playing a disturbed yet highly talented physical comic. Some of the best scenes involve Platt and Evans' new routine and a visit to a morgue. Jerry Lewis is wonderful in a backing role, a Las Vegas superstar whose dark secrets are revealed, becoming more human and less of an obstacle for his troubled sons. The more I see this film the more I spot the details and many layers to the story. What makes this movie special are the tensions between the characters and the challenges each overcomes when Platt's travels unveil the past and reinvigorate a seemingly more innocent and forgotten community of performers. Poignant comic moments abound but, again, this is a drama. Because this is such a unique film, I think it must have been a nightmare to market. You can't accurately describe it in 10 words or less. "Troubling and inspiring" occurs to me, but that won't sell tickets. Fortunately for you, it's inexpensive and regularly appearing on cable tv if you want a trial run. A worthwhile addition to my DVD library. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 14, 2004 | | Summary | Comedy? Excuse me.. | Content
| i'm a jerry lewis fan, so i was quite disepointed by this movie.
Having seen "king of comedy" recently, and some old jerry classics from the 60's. i was expecting and looking forward to alote of fun here! according to the cover, youre suposed to believe that jerry has one of the leading roles.. yeah right, more like a cameo. ok?
jerry has a short scene at the begining of the movie, then he doesnt show up untill near the end. (how 'bout that?) where he does a couple of quick shots. the movie's main stars are oliver platt and his psycho half brother, who beats a clown to death. very cruel and disturbing, yes. comedy? this isn't a comedy folks, its a drama with alote of cruel violence.
the movie starts off with a kid being slaughterd under a boat at sea. then you see oliver platt performing before an audience, being humiliated before a crowd sence they doesnt laugh at his jokes. jerry lewis is magnificent as his suporting father.
oliver platt though, the star of the movie, plays an ego who only cares about himself and acts like a.. well you know. and thats the guy who you gotta follow through the whole movie!
jerry lewis actally has only about 3 or 4 "real" scenes, the rest is just short cuts at him. sitting in an audience or something. so all in all, quite an annoying film with alote of disturbing scenes. love jerry though, catch him in some of his old classics, or "king of comedy" where he stars along with robert de niro, now thats an old masterpiece! one of my favorite movies. there are so many great movies in this amazon jungle, so take my advice and spend your money on something else.
the cover on this film is misleading, and when the cover is misleading.. well.. you know what that means.
but you can bet there are some good music in this movie!
blues legend john lee hooker boogies away on his hit "boogie chillen". so i suggest you buy the soundtrack and skip the movie.
i hope this review was helpful. |
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