Delirious (1991)

44% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(2,788 ratings)

John Candy plays Jack Gable, a soap-opera writer who finds himself trapped inside his own television program with a magic typewriter in this toothless comedy. Jack finds himself embroiled in protecting his beloved Laura (Emma Samms), an actress who plays Rachel Hedison in Jack's show -- "Beyond Our… More John Candy plays Jack Gable, a soap-opera writer who finds himself trapped inside his own television program with a magic typewriter in this toothless comedy. Jack finds himself embroiled in protecting his beloved Laura (Emma Samms), an actress who plays Rachel Hedison in Jack's show -- "Beyond Our Dreams" -- from having her character being killed off by the program's producers, the Sherwoods (Jerry Orbach, Renee Taylor). Laura has recently broken off with her co-star and lover Dennis (David Rasche) and is heading off for a weekend with Jack. As Jack unloads Laura's luggage, he conks himself on the head and knocks himself out. He awakens in a town bearing a name similar to the town in his soap opera. Dennis is on hand, but as his character in the show -- Dr. Paul Kirkland. Jack realizes that he has found himself in an alternative world made up of his soap opera world -- particularly apparent when he is recognized as Jack Gates, "the Wolf of Wall Street." Jack then meets Laura, who, in this soap opera world, is actually Janet Dubois, the daughter of a late biochemist who invented a pill that allows anyone to eat whatever they want and not gain any weight. The unscrupulous Hedison family (Raymond Burr, Charles Rocket, Dylan Baker) want to steal the formula for the pill and make a fortune for their pharmaceutical company. Jack then discovers that he can exit and re-enter the show at will and can alter the narrative of the show however he wants by typing up new plot points on his typewriter. In order to save Laura's character from the Sherwoods, Jack re-writes the show to save Janet by having his own character come to her rescue at the last minute. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Tom Mankiewicz
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 9, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Apr 16, 2002
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
It appears as though Mankiewicz wanted to conduct his own triumphant slapstick symphony with Delirious. He just brought the wrong sheet music to share with his cast.
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com
John Candy goooooood!
Fred Topel, About.com
Excellent comedy. Really plays the soap opera and magic typewriter gimmicks to the fullest.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

As the title suggests, Delerious is a completely off the wall story, it?s certainly original but quite silly. Maybe worth a watch on tv, if you can?t find anything else to watch!

Cast

            John Candy as Jack Gable

            Mariel Hemingway as Janet Dubois

            Emma Samms as Rachel Hedison/Laura Claybourne

            Raymond Burr as Carter Hedison

            Robert Wagner as Jack Gates

            Dylan Baker as Blake Hedison

            David Rasche as Dr. Paul Kirkland--Dennis

            Charles Rocket as Ty

            Andrea Thompson as Nurse Helen Caldwell

            Zach Grenier as Mickey

            Jerry Orbach as Lou Sherwood

            Renée Taylor as Arlene Sherwood

            Brooke Ashley as Cheerleader

            John Michael Bolger as Len

            Mark Boone Jr. as Cable Man

            Patrick Bristow as Bellboy

            Peter Bromilow as Auctioneer

            Michael Caldwell as Busboy

            Jay Della Valle as Ashford Falls Cable Man

            Glenn Dixon as Elderly Man

            Dick Durock as Riley

            Rita Gomez as Marge

            Marvin Kaplan as Typewriter Repairman

            Fred Morsell as Choking Man

            Milt Oberman as Fetterman

            Zach Phifer as Attendant

            Jason Ross-Azikiwe as Manu

            Murray Rubin as Manny

            Anthony Schmidt as Mason

            Stephanie Segal as TV Reporter

            Tony Steedman as Edward the Butler

            Elaine Swayneson as Secretary

            Paul Tuerpé as Waiter

            Bill Wittman as Soap Announcer

            Mark Zuelke as Chauffeur

            Susan Isaacs as Marie
See full cast