The scene where Chevy forces his wife to read the first few chapters of his dumb heist novel is one of my favourite scenes in any 80s comedy. This is such an underrated movie
Andy really did misread the signals she was sending him...no, scratch that; he was just so dazzled by his own work that he was simply blind to anything else, let alone misreading it. (Can one be nose-blind to sexual pheromones? I wonder.) 😕 😎
Lol that is funny. The flash forwards The flash backs The flash sideways lol I never forgot that. Then the wife writes her own stuff and it becomes successful. Absolutely outstanding
That scene perplexes me to this day. He wasn't unreasonable, he was excited about his book and wanted his wife to read it. Instead of just telling him it's not great, she breaks down crying and tells him to burn it. She acts psychotic about it. I've never gotten it. I mean yeah giving it to her as an anniversary gift was probably the wrong thing to do but damn, she did overreact much
Great scene. Pitch perfect acting and editing. And super fuuny to me personally based on my experiences. And I vet the writers had some fun writing that scene having come across so many shitty scripts like this heist thing.
I've always enjoyed this movie. My father loved it, too, when he was alive. I'll never forget the way he roared with laughter the first time we watched it and Chevy was running with the snake "chasing" him.
Huge Chevy fan, and this might be his movie that stands the test of time. Laugh-out-loud funny, and tear-jerkingly touching. It's pretty much perfect. Yellow Dog! Funny that you compared it to Frank Capra, because I was thinking how this is as close to Jimmy Stewart as Chevy ever came. Well done, Joe.
I agree. Even some of Chase's best remembered films don't hold up all that well with younger generations, from what I can tell. This is one of those screwball comedies that could take place in 1958, 1988, or now, and be funny, with minimal tweaking.
I really enjoyed that movie as a kid. It's definitely one of his most underrated films because anyone I've talked to about it hasn't heard of it. Randy Quaid and that big ass lawnmower always stuck out.
This guy and even Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert who were never Chase fans said this was the best movie he ever made and his best performance. I agree with all. Chase at his very best.
@@GENERATEPOWER78 Sadly Christmas Vacation was his last great movie. Man of the House and Vegas Vacation were good but not great like his earlier films including the previous Vacations, Fletch and Funny Farm.
Chevy moving into the final stage of celebrity! First you're built up into a star (National Lampoon), then torn down and reviled (Community horror stories), and if there's time, rethink and brought back up. This marks that 3rd stage!
Stage 1: be good and successful. Stage 2: completely fall off and get old. Stage 3: come back to be part of one of the greatest shows of all time but ruin it by being a racist asshole who is unable to appreciate its brilliance, fall off again while pretty much everyone else who was in that show is now more successful than you.
Such a great underrated classic! Since I was a kid, this was one of my favorite comedies. It's definitely one of Chevy's best work. It's too bad it wasn't a big hit when it came out. At least some of us can appreciate it.
Oh, you picked one especially close to my hearrt! Funny Farm ran all the time on HBO when I was a kid and you're right the movie is delightful! My favorite scene is when they rent a room and Andy forces Elizabeth to read his manuscript and her reaction is priceless! I die every time and especially when she says he even managed to write a "flash sideways!" A true classic!
What does this say about me? 95% of the movies you showcase, I have always deemed as absolute classics and just assumed everyone loved them as much as I did.
I loved this movie so much! I remember buying a copy of the screenplay and “Mixed Nuts” in a small shop in Hollywood in the late 90s. It’s came with a few glossy 5x8s. I wish I knew where this thing was.
When I first saw this movie, I was working as furniture mover (grew up in the business). Before GPS and cell phones there were many maps and poor directions written by customers. I instantly identified with the frustrated movers dealing with a jerk customer. This movie had me hooked from the get go, love it.
This is one of those movies that my family would watch over and over again. I definitely need to give it another spin (As for future episodes, how about Doc Hollywood? I watched it again recently on HBO Max and found it still holds up really well. This year is also its 30th anniversary, so the timing would be perfect.)
Wow I remember having the full size poster of this on my wall when I was a kid. My dad bought posters from a local video store that were about to be thrown out.
Mom and I loved this when it first hit cable, was shocked later on on to learn it was so unloved. A couple of years ago I went on a George Roy Hill bent and starting hunting for discs of all his movies (just a few more to go). I've got this, but it's pan&scan. Happy to learn it's being re-evaluated.
I think it was unloved at the time but I think its popularity has resurged a lot since it was first released. I haven't met anyone who has seen it now that dislikes it.
Boam was a really underrated writer. In addition to this, he heavily rewrote the script for Innerspace which I imagine will be a candidate for this series at some point. Although I haven’t seen it, he also created The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. with Carlton Cuse
@Justin Williams: - “Don’t try to deny it, I stepped on the core!” 🤣 Andy, just be glad you didn't slip on the peel from the banana that Elizabeth was eating, earlier
Woah! The timing of this "(Almost) Cult Classics" is surreal to me. I watched this one for the first time a few days ago out of a whim knowing very little about it. "Funny Farm" was such a delightful surprise that just keeps getting better, the longer it goes. There are so many shrewd and well-executed gut busters that are topped up with a truly inspired third act. Wonderful comedy! And yes, Madolyn Smith is indispensable and hilarious. The way she says the line, "Don't think so," is like kissing a pool ball into the hole. She achieves her effect like a pro and makes it look easy. "Don't forget your little pal Andy!"
Happy to see you cover this. Great information. Funny Farm is a great movie! I've watched it once a year for decades. George Roy Hill did a great job and is always a solid director. Very funny and Chevy is in great form.
I saw this movie years and years ago on Showtime with my Dad. We were both surprised NO ONE was talking about it. We call every golden retriever “Yellow Dog.” 😂 Fantastic movie!
I remember going to this by myself when it first came out and enjoying every minute of it! When I saw it a few weeks ago I still loved it! One of Chevy's best ever. Nice job here too BTW!
This movie randomly popped into my head a few weeks ago and I thought to myself "that would be a perfect movie for Hats Off Entertainment to cover as an almost cult classic" and here it is!
Just discovered the channel. Love your break downs of remakes and adaptations. Glad to see there's another film and tv buff out there who gets it. My favorite line from Funny Farm "I don't eat! I don't sleep! Nyagh!" that delivery is burned into my brain Hahaha
Probably my favorite Chevy movie! I'll still find myself watching this one once a year and I have to say that the comedy hits even better with me these days. This has aged better than just about any of Chevy's other work and I love when I find someone else who appreciates it as much as I do. Great flick!
Funny Farm is great! I love this movie! I saw it in the theater. It's excellent. It's definitely Chevy Chase's best movie performance. I watched it every time it was on tv and I got the chance. I never got tired of it.
I have rented, re-rented, recorded and re-recorded this movie (along with Brain Donors) so many times it has finally gotten a bit old for me... but it is absolutely one of the best movies of my lifetime. I was 16 when this movie came out and it just dawned on me that I was engaged, for 3 years, to a woman who looked almost exactly like Madolyn Smith in the early 2000's. Jesus... how did I miss that back then??
Rewatched this with my mum last night because of your review, we both loved the bit when the mover says "this ain't a bridge, it's termites holding hands"
I work at the post office and on heavy mail days, someone will always say they might have to deliver like the mailman from Funny Farm to make it back by five.
I saw this movie as a kid and I have never thought about it as some kind of failure. It was a small Chevy Chase movie but very charming. And who can forget the lamb balls food scene?
One of my favourite Chevy films that’s largely unheard of here in the UK. I remember watching part of it on TV as a kid and thinking it was part of the vacation franchise, it took me a decade or so track down a copy to watch. Deserved to be a more popular hit.
I watched this movie when it came out on VHS. and thanks for bringing it back to mind. I loved it for most points you shared and you say it being wholesome, is what won me over. maybe i will dig in the walmart DVD cheap bin to see if it kicking around.
Came across this while looking for stuff on HBO Max for me and my parents to watch. This is really good. One of the most underrated comedy films ever made.
In honor of the late Charles Grodin, may I suggest a film of his you could cover? The insanely underrated and brilliant dark comedy The Heartbreak Kid (1972).
Heartbreak Kid is great. However I think more people are more familiar with its remake with Ben Stiller. I agree the original with Charles Grodin is a great comedy that could use more recognition.
This was another film I used to watch a lot on HBO growing up. Eventually I got it on VHS and then upgraded to DVD. There were so many good scenes it's hard to pick just one.
Really enjoying this “almost cult classics” series! We seem to have similar taste in movies. I first caught Funny Farm on Starz in 2001 staying home sick from school. It’s been one of my faves ever since. And the Norman Rockwell concept art for the DVD definitely inspired my want to buy it. Not sure if you’ve covered this but “Better off Dead” seems up your alley too. Thanks again!
So glad you talked about this one. A friend showed me this one and I adore Funny Farm. I use the third act Christmas setting as an excuse to watch this every Christmas.
Being a Chevy Chase fan i think Funny Farm is his best work, i bought a dvd 10 years ago which is spoilt now, i must have seen this movie over 100 times & still brings a smile to my face each time i watch it
While I've heard chevy was a pain to work with on most films, its hard to deny his films were funny. While most never think of films like funny farm or nothing but trouble. These are hidden gems to watch with the family. Great upload. Enjoyed watching it
This is the movie I first thought of when I originally found your channel. I probably left a comment suggesting it awhile back. Glad to see this video pop up in my recommended
This movie is fantastic, and I’m glad to see it get the love it deserves. I’m sure you guys get bombarded with recommendations, but I think the movie Better Off Dead would really be up your alley; just going off what I know of your tastes from your videos and podcast. It’s got an ensemble cast of weirdos, hand animated and stop motion scenes, and a fun behind the scenes inception story.
Funny Farm is a family comedy that doesn't involve kids, yet Andy tells his New York buddies he plans to have them... Cue a glowing Elizabeth in the final scene
I just watched it again, and the last 25 minutes wooing the prospective buyers is possibly the greatest scene in comedy movie history. Every little detail is perfection.
I grew up in Windsor Vt [the town where the lake scenes were shot (Chevy fishing, sheriff's car in the water, etc.)] and I love to watch this movie. I hated growing up in the country, but there really is something "special" about it and the people who inhabit.
This is the best Chevy Chase film. It is so restrained and thoughtful and sincere- and with that beautiful Elmer Bernstein score that, to this day, has never been released!
man didn't know about this one, gives me vibes of "For Richer or Poorer" with Kirstie Alley and Tim Allen. should give that a watch if haven't already.
Not once have I ever considered this to not be one of the great comedy classics of all time. I'm finding it hard to believe there's not a huge audience for it to this day.
It has gotten a lot more popular in recent years. I think it suffered on release because of huge competition. It opened in theaters the very same day that Big with Tom Hanks did and that was a huge box office hit and dominated the box office for comedies. Funny Farm got more popular with video and cable showings.
