Checking Out (1989)
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20% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
35% of users liked it
(117 ratings)
Jeff Daniels stars in this tedious situation comedy concerning the middle-aged terror of illness and mortality. Scripted by Joe Eszterhas, Daniels plays Southern Californian Ray Macklin, who thinks he will live forever but realizes the fallacy of his idea when his best friend drops dead in front of… More Jeff Daniels stars in this tedious situation comedy concerning the middle-aged terror of illness and mortality. Scripted by Joe Eszterhas, Daniels plays Southern Californian Ray Macklin, who thinks he will live forever but realizes the fallacy of his idea when his best friend drops dead in front of him after issuing the set-up to the old joke, "Why don't Italians like barbecues?" (Which begs the question, "Why can't Joe Eszterhas write funny scripts?" The answer: "He did. Showgirls.") Anyway, after that shock trauma, Macklin becomes convinced that he is set to suffer the same fate and, as a result, becomes a raving hypochondriac. As Macklin continually clutches his chest and checks his heart monitor, he sinks himself deeper and deeper into the mindset that he is doomed, even though his tests turn out fine. All of this comes to a head in a bizarre dream sequence in which Macklin imagines Heaven as a Hawaiian resort populated by extras from a Federico Fellini picture. At that point, he wills himself to return to consciousness after surgery to remove his appendix. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- David Leland
- Written By
- Joe Eszterhas
- Genres
- Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Apr 21, 1989 Wide
- On DVD
- Dec 2, 2003
Critic Reviews
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David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
An absolutely interminable piece of work...
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Too broad, ultimately botched, but constantly watchable.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jeff Daniels
as Ray Macklin
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Melanie Mayron
as Jenny Macklin
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Michael Tucker (I)
as Harry Lardener
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Kathleen York
as Diana
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Allan Havey
as Pat Hagen
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Ann Magnuson
as Connie Hagen
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Jo Harvey Allen
as Barbara
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Felton Perry
as Dr. Duffin
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Ian Wolfe
as Mr. D'Amato
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John Durbin
as Spencer Gittinger
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Billy Beck
as Fr. Carmody
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Trudi Dochtermann
as Val
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Joe Gosha
as Andrews
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Matthew Hurley
as Joey Macklin
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Doug Koth
as Workman
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Dan Leegant
as Drunk
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Mark Lowenthal
as Phillips
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Ruth Manning
as Dr. Duffin's Receptionist
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Randy Pelish
as Spencer's Driver
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Danton Stone
as Dr. Wolfe
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Joe Unger
as Joe
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David Byrne
as Barkeeper
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Adelle Lutz
as Dr. Helmsley
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Allan Rich
as Dr. Haskell
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Stephen Tobolowsky
as Pharmacist
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Dean Abston
as Security Guard
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Beth Barish
as Heaven Singer
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John Cherrod
as Coffin Truck Driver
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Martin Doyne
as Surgeon
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Neal Fugate
as Heaven Singer
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Robert Goyette
as Doctor
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Janet Jeffries
as Heaven Singer
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Adam Karwowsky
as Heaven Singer
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William Kerr
as Policeman
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Kevin Mockrin
as Young Pat
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Lydia Nielson
as Mrs. Feldman
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Courtney Sonne
as Mo Macklin
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Kirsten Trucksess
as Stewardess
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Andrea Walker
as Heaven Singer
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Benjamin Wendel
as Young Ray
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Denis Wisner
as Denis Hagen
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Jimi Wisner
as Pat Hagen Jr.
