Brain Donors (1992)
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44% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
77% of users liked it
(4,306 ratings)
Brain Donors is a game attempt to redo the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera in a contemporary setting. John Turturro plays the "Groucho" character, a shifty lawyer (he's even given a Grouchoesque three-barrelled moniker). Bob Nelson is the "Harpo" counterpart, a… More Brain Donors is a game attempt to redo the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera in a contemporary setting. John Turturro plays the "Groucho" character, a shifty lawyer (he's even given a Grouchoesque three-barrelled moniker). Bob Nelson is the "Harpo" counterpart, a puckish handyman. And Mel Smith completes the trio as a Chico-like cabbie. All three conspire to save a failing ballet company on behalf of dowager Nancy Marchand, who does a film-length impersonation of Margaret Dumont. At times, Pat Proft's script comes off more like a 3 Stooges short than a Marx Brothers romp, but that's not so bad. What hurts the film is its fluctuating pace, which shifts into neutral just when it should go into hyperdrive. Will Vinton's Claymation opening titles supply some of the film's biggest laughs. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Dennis Dugan
- Genres
- Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Apr 17, 1992 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Weird reworking of Night at the Opera that's more peculiar than successful.
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Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com
Someone needed to donate one to this director.
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
The jokes come so frequently you won't even have time to sneer at the lame ones. And yeah, a lot of 'em are kinda lame. John Turturro is, however, a man possessed.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
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John Turturro
as Roland T. Flakfizer
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Bob Nelson
as Jacques
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Mel Smith
as Rocco Melonchek
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Nancy Marchand
as Lillian Oglethorpe
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John Savident
as Lazlo
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George De La Pena
as Roberto Volare
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Julie Donald
as Lisa Le Baron
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Spike Alexander
as Alan Grant
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Teri Copley
as Tina
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Louisa Abernathy
as Nurse
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Billy Beck
as Janitor
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Dick Corman
as Theatre Janitor
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Anita Dangler
as Usherette
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Kathleen Doyle
as Nurse
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Thomas Mikal Ford
as Cop
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Corki Grazer
as Nurse
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Eddie Griffin
as Messenger
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Gary Grossman
as Father
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Irene Olga Lopez
as Pedestrian
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Richardson Morse
as Jailor
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Eric Poppick
as Chauffeur
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Jason Ross-Azikiwe
as Precinct Cop
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Barbara Schillaci
as Stuffy Patron
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Charlotte Zucker
as Woman with Program
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Dennis Dugan
as Stage Hand
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Charles Dugan
as N.Y. Stage Manager
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Jim Smith
as Stage Hand
- John Lyons
- Donna Isaacson
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Matthew Sussman
as Cop
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Franklin Cover
as Doctor
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Max Alexander
as L.A. Stage Manager
- Juliana Donald
