Brain Donors (1992)

44% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(4,249 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 puckish handyman. And Mel Smith… 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 19 min.
Directed By: Dennis Dugan
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 17, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Oct 26, 2004
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Weird reworking of Night at the Opera that's more peculiar than successful.
Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com
Someone needed to donate one to this director.
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.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Every Marx brothers movie condensed into one hell of a zany adventure. This movie is gut bustingly funny.
Christopher B

Amazingly funny film with great performances by all the cast, especially Turturro. Great one-liners are delivered at a rapid pace and this movie is worthy of being put alongside the Marx Bros series even though it's only an "homage". "I want you to have my… More
Amazingly funny film with great performances by all the cast, especially Turturro. Great one-liners are delivered at a rapid pace and this movie is worthy of being put alongside the Marx Bros series even though it's only an "homage". "I want you to have my children... they're out in the car" Hilarious, and no, I'm not making fun of you Timbo.

Cast

            John Turturro as Roland T. Flakfizer

            Bob Nelson as Jacques

            Mel Smith as Rocco Melonchek

            Nancy Marchand as Lillian Oglethorpe

            John Savident as Lazlo

            George De La Pena as Roberto Volare

            Julie Donald as Lisa Le Baron

            Spike Alexander as Alan Grant

            Teri Copley as Tina

            Louisa Abernathy as Nurse

            Billy Beck as Janitor

            Dick Corman as Theatre Janitor

            Anita Dangler as Usherette

            Kathleen Doyle as Nurse

            Thomas Mikal Ford as Cop

            Corki Grazer as Nurse

            Eddie Griffin as Messenger

            Gary Grossman as Father

            Irene Olga Lopez as Pedestrian

            Richardson Morse as Jailor

            Eric Poppick as Chauffeur

            Jason Ross-Azikiwe as Precinct Cop

            Barbara Schillaci as Stuffy Patron

            Charlotte Zucker as Woman with Program

            Dennis Dugan as Stage Hand

            Charles Dugan as N.Y. Stage Manager

            Jim Smith as Stage Hand

            John Lyons
            
            Donna Isaacson
            
            Matthew Sussman as Cop

            Franklin Cover as Doctor

            Max Alexander as L.A. Stage Manager

            Juliana Donald
            
See full cast