Funny Farm (1988)

Truly Dreadful Film

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Boring, long, and too preachy.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

The plot of "Funny Farm" is a good one, and the script has doses of funny lines. But most of the comedy comes in antics involving Chevy Chase, and in the comedy rapport between Chase and Madolyn Smith Osborne. From the opening scene - a farewell lunch and drinks among the boys from the newspaper, one might wonder why there haven't been at least a couple more movies made along these lines.Chase is Andy Farmer, a sports writer for one of the Big Apple newspapers of the day. He is doing what many "rag" writers dream of doing - escaping the big city for country life and the chance to write the great American novel. His wife, Elizabeth, is a school teacher and they both have looked forward to living in Redbud. It might be in Upstate New York, or western Connecticut or Massachusetts. The Farmers get there by heading up the Hudson Valley Parkway and have some distance to drive. Whichever state it's in, it is definitely some distance off any major roads. The country home they bought is very nice and has a tremendous view. While there's nothing wrong with the house, troubles begin right away with the movers, the rural mailman, and some of the locals. How will things work out? Will Andy get his novel done, or will someone else have success writing? Will the Farmers settle into their community? That's all part of the fun in this comedy that has just a little satire about rural life and people. This film has some swearing in places, but otherwise it's a decent comedy that older kids and adults should enjoy. The funniest lines are mostly upfront. Here are some favorites.Newspaper Editor, "Andy, all my life I've dreamed of packing up and leaving the city and the newspaper business behind." Reporter, "What stopped you, Jack?" Newspaper Editor, "And moving to some quiet little town in the country and putting down on paper the novel I know I have inside me." Reporter, "That's not a novel, Jack, its heartburn." Mickey, "This ain't a bridge. It's termites holding hands." Crocker, driver of the moving van, "You still got that map?" Mickey, "Yeah." Crocker, "Don't lose it. It might be the piece of evidence that gets me off a murder charge." Mickey, "Who you gonna kill?" Crocker, "The S.O.B. who drew that map." Elizabeth Farmer, "When they say hardwood floors, what they really mean is hard, wood floors."

It had been quite a number of years since I had seen this. I just rented it again and I remember now why I had once thought it was so funny.OK, Chevy Chase is never going to win an Oscar. And for that matter, no comedy like this is ever going to garner the respect of anyone who calls themselves a critic, real or pretend.But I always allow myself to enjoy something even if it does not fit other people definition of 'good'. If we all didn't do that then there would not be very much variety in the world. I'm not one of the sheeple and I'm quite proud of it.Having said that; I like this movie and I don't give a rats rear posterior if anyone else does not.There a few scenes out there that can make me laugh as hard as when our hero decides the best way to remove a hook from the face of a fishing parter is to knock him out. Everybody in that whole town cracks me up.And you know, Chevy does act. He is not going to bring a tear to anyones eye, he isn't that kind of actor. But he can make you cry laughing now and then.Worth seeing. Go rent it again.

This is the way a comedy should be. Simple, easy to follow, and with plenty of laughs. Chevy Chase is simply perfect as a New York City sportswriter that moves upstate to start a new writing career. You can only guess what happens next.From the minute they arrive at their new home upstate, everything goes to hell. The house has no phone, the movers get lost, the dog runs away, and everyone that lives in the area is unbearable to be around.Chevy Chase's deadpan humor is used here better than any other movie, save for Fletch and director George Roy Hill of such classic films like "The Sting" and "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" gives this film a much appreciated dose of Norman Rockwellian Americana.

FUNNY FARM tells the story of a husband and wife, who are fed up with big city hassles. Chevy Chase plays Andy Farmer, who chooses to quit his job and move to a country home in Vermont so that he can write a novel.The first hour of the movie is almost a parody of Chevy's brilliant role as Clark W. Griswald,in the original "Vacation" film. There are some very funny scenes involving movie day, a fishing trip, a dog, and a snake. However, there is not enough good quality writing in the script to make FUNNY FARM particularly worthwhile or memorable.Credit must be given to Chevy for doing his best. But it is a shame that in FUNNY FARM he didn't have a better script. The movie's first half has its moments without question. However, the last half-hour is void of any humorous material as the film tries to take on a more serious tone. A Christmas holiday theme is brought into the story without any build up and the ending is much too pat as the townspeople forgive Chevy for all of the unintentional trouble he caused, (for the most part.) Chevy and his wife decide to stay in the country.Considering the talents of director George Roy Hill (i.e The Sting, The Great Waldo Pepper--director) this is a major disappointment. What made Chevy's role so wonderful in "Vacation," was the superb comic chemistry between the characters and a fun story all the way through. FUNNY FARM'S writers just seem to say, "Well, Chevy was SOOOOO good in "Vacation," that we will give him some traditional bit jokes that worked great in that movie, and take on a "feel good" Christmas holiday storyline at the end, when the jokes are finished.The main problem with FUNNY FARM is that there is not a strong enough story line with quality humor to sustain viewer interest throughout the film. FUNNY FARM starts funny at the premise, but falls apart by the conclusion.