Going Berserk
| Going Berserk | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | David Steinberg |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Claude Héroux |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Bobby Byrne |
| Edited by | Donn Cambern |
| Music by | Tom Scott |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Countries | United States Canada |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $234,950 |
Going Berserkis a 1983 American-Canadian comedy film starringJohn Candy,Joe Flaherty,andEugene Levyand directed byDavid Steinberg.[1]
Plot
[edit]John Bourgignon is an amiablechauffeurand would-be drummer who is engaged to the daughter Nancy, of an extremely disapproving United States congressman Ed Reese. As the wedding date approaches, John's sleazy film-director friend, Sal DiPasquale, blackmails the senator into allowing him to record the ceremony. John has assorted misadventures, including being handcuffed to a dead man, running afoul of a motorcycle gang, and getting brainwashed by an aerobics cult that wants him to assassinate the congressman. The conditioning goes awry, causing John to behave like "a schmuck" and nearly ruin his engagement, but a second attempt appears to have the desired effect. At the wedding ceremony, John reveals he resisted the conditioning; the cultists are arrested, John more or less saves the day, and more or less lives happily ever after.
Cast
[edit]- John Candyas John Bourgignon
- Joe Flahertyas Chick Leff, John's friend and limo company partner
- Eugene Levyas Sal DiPasquale, a sleazy wanna-be filmmaker
- Alley Millsas Nancy Reese, John's fiancee
- Pat Hingleas Congressman Ed Reese, Nancy's father
- Ann Bronston as Patti Reese, the youngest daughter, who is also brainwashed by the aerobics cult
- Eve Brent Asheas Mrs. Reese, Nancy's mother
- Elizabeth Kerras Grandmother Reese
- Richard Libertinias Reverend Sun Yi Day
- Dixie Carteras Angela, Sun Yi Day's assistant
- Kurtwood Smithas Clarence, one of Sun Yi Day's associates
- Ronald E. House as Bruno, one of Sun Yi Day's associates
- Ernie Hudsonas Muhammed Jerome Willy
- Frantz Turner as Wallace Jefferson, a friend of Muhammed Jerome Willy
- Gloria Gifford as Francine, Muhammed Jerome Willy's girlfriend
- Brenda Currin as Sal's Secretary
- Paul Dooleyas Dr. Ted, a psychologist that Chick knows
- Julius Harrisas The Judge
- Murphy Dunneas Public Defender
- Bill Salugaas Skipper / Kung Fu Leader
- Kathy Bendett as Shirley, the news reporter
- Dan Barrows as Minister
- Elinor Donahueas Margaret Anderson
Reception
[edit]TheNew York Timesreview stated, "John Candy is easily the funniest thing inGoing Berserk,an affably stupid comedy that's saddled with too much plot and that hasn't nearly enough energy to go with it. "[2]Vulture Hound wrote, "Going Berserkco-written by Dana Olsen misses the mark with its bare minimum of plot to get us from scene to scene that reference films/tv shows you’d rather being watching than this movie. "[3]
References
[edit]- ^"Going Berserk".TCM database.Turner Classic Movies.RetrievedFebruary 25,2016.
- ^Maslin, Janet (October 29, 1983)."JOHN CANDY IN 'BERSERK'"– via NYTimes.com.
- ^"Going Berserk for Candy - Going Berserk (DVD Review)".June 9, 2016.
External links
[edit]
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- 1983 films
- 1980s English-language films
- 1983 comedy films
- Universal Pictures films
- American crime comedy films
- Canadian crime comedy films
- Films scored by Tom Scott (saxophonist)
- 1980s American films
- 1980s Canadian films
- 1980s crime comedy films
- English-language crime comedy films
- 1980s comedy film stubs
- 1980s American film stubs