 |
A delightful flurry of funny performances. Sidney Poitier’s directorial debut Stir Crazy (1980) is simultaneously a ridiculous farce and a biting satire on the prison industrial complex. Stir Crazy starts out like a silly road trip gone wrong, then evolves into a prison comedy, finally into an insane prison break film. Poitier’s tone mixes nonsense comedic moments in between serious dramatic sequences of self reflection while being stuck in jail. Poitier gives some nice examples of prison torture, corruption, and cruelty during the cast’s confinement. Stir Crazy is certainly filled with constant laughter, but there is more behind all the goofy fun. Though Poitier’s direction isn’t mind-blowing, he certainly gives his actors room to breathe and give a fun performance with their own style. He does use nice slow panning shots and still shots to allow characters to just react to all the crazy goings on within this prison. I love how Poitier just let in numerous scenes of actors barely containing their laughter at the joke on screen. Gene Wilder is the real star here in Stir Crazy. He plays a neurotic and aloof playwright completely out of his element. His panicked state of being and optimistic viewpoint on everything is downright hilarious. He is the perfect funny man to Richard Pryor’s straight man routine in Stir Crazy. Wilder looks like he is constantly having fun unless he looks totally devastated at his character’s situation. From freaking out on prison guards to gleefully riding a bull, Wilder does it all for your entertainment in Stir Crazy. Richard Pryor is his usual funny self, but more reserved at times in Stir Crazy. His pessimist straight man must endure imprisonment and being constantly hit on by a gay man, which is especially funny now as it came out that Pryor was bisexual. His feigned looks of disgust at the gay character, played so well by the effortlessly flamboyant Georg Stanford, are just too funny. Pryor plays up his character’s fears and frustrations all to your delight. His sudden rage,shock, or embarrassment is gut busting. Furthermore, I really enjoyed the portly warden played so sleazily by Barry Corbin. His henchman prison guard captain is played so cruelly by Craig T. Nelson. Jonathan Banks gets a neat villain role. Lee Purcell is outrageous and wickedly funny in her cameo as the actress and kleptomaniac Susan. JoBeth Williams is sweet and sincere as Gene Wilder’s love interest. Miguel Angel Suarez is fun as the leads’ helpful prison buddy. Lastly, I must mention the best supporting character Grossberger. Erland van Lidth is so massive in size and stature that you are immediately laughing at how imposing he is, once his character’s nature is revealed, you are laughing along with him. It’s a wonderful turn of character for the young actor. My favorite scene involves all the prison friends hanging out in their cell, all while Gene Wilder sings on his guitar. Then, Erland gives a moving rendition with his tender voice that regales you for an entire scene. It is a sweet scene that gives his character a nice roundness. It is a shame that Erland van Lidth died so young as he sings so beautifully in Stir Crazy. Overall, Sidney Poitier was a better actor than director, but his take on a comedy film always gives me pleasure every time I revisit Stir Crazy.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
There has never been a greater comedy duo than Richard Pryor/Gene Wilder. They are two comic geniuses who mesh perfectly when they come together. In STIR CRAZY, the two play an actor and a playwright from New York who decide to head out west to look for work. However, along the way, their plans are put on hold as they get framed for bank robbery and find themselves in a Texas penitentiary. They then go through a series of adventures attempting to prove their innocence, escape from prison, and stay alive. The movie does not contain a very original plot, but the viewer can expect many laughs watching two of the greatest comedians
I’m happy with my purchase! Thank you!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I like the movie, very funny. Thank you.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I had forgotten how funny this movie was. I had also seen more comedy then I saw the first time. Can watch over and over again.
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
