Mixed Nuts (1994)
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7% of critics liked it
(28 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(9,412 ratings)
A holiday comedy with dark overtones, Mixed Nuts presents a supposedly humorous look at the behind-the-scenes events at a crisis hotline on Christmas Eve. Philip (Steve Martin) runs Lifesavers, a Venice, California organization dedicated to helping the depressed and troubled. Unfortunately, Philip… More A holiday comedy with dark overtones, Mixed Nuts presents a supposedly humorous look at the behind-the-scenes events at a crisis hotline on Christmas Eve. Philip (Steve Martin) runs Lifesavers, a Venice, California organization dedicated to helping the depressed and troubled. Unfortunately, Philip is a bit down himself, having learned that Lifesavers is on the verge of eviction. His staff isn't feeling particularly helpful either, with Mrs. Munchnik (Madeline Kahn) giving gruff, often insulting advice, and Catherine (Rita Wilson) obsessing over her own unspoken love for Philip. As the holiday approaches, various weirdoes of all shapes and sizes -- from to a pregnant clothing store owner (Juliette Lewis) to a disenchanted Santa Claus (Anthony LaPaglia) -- begin dropping in, throwing the already strained office into utter chaos. Director Nora Ephron followed her smash success Sleepless in Seattle with this remake of the cult 1982 French comedy Le Père Noël est une Ordure, co-authoring the script with her sister Delia Ephron. However, Mixed Nuts met with little box office or critical approval, with most viewers finding the film's manic farce disappointingly forced and abrasive. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Directed By
- Nora Ephron
- Genres
- Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Dec 21, 1994 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Director/co-scripter Nora Ephron pitches the humor at a cacophonous level and displays the comedic equivalent of two left feet in evolving an absurdist, slapstick yarn.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Ephron's timing and sensitivity have deserted her, leaving behind only the sentimentality.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
A title song incorporating the names of nut varieties is only one of the film's desperate ploys.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Gag.
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Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Is there anything more excruciating than failed farce?
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)
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Cast
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Steve Martin
as Philip
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Madeline Kahn
as Blanche Munchnik
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Robert Klein
as Mr. Lobel
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Anthony LaPaglia
as Felix
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Juliette Lewis
as Gracie Barzini
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Rob Reiner
as Dr. Kinsky
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Adam Sandler
as Louie
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Liev Schreiber
as Chris
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Rita Wilson
as Catherine O'Shaughnessy
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Garry Shandling
as Stanley Tannenbaum
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Caroline Aaron
as Hotline Caller
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Sidney Armus
as Chris' Father
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Michael Badalucco
as AAA Driver
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Henry Brown
as Police
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Victor Garber
as Irate Neighbor
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Mary Gross
as Hotline Caller
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Brian Markinson
as Policeman/Voice of Obscene Caller
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Steve Randazzo
as Detective
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Diane Sokolow
as Chris' Mother
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Steven Wright
as Man at Pay Phone
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Joely Fisher
as Susan
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Parker Posey
as Rollerblader
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Christine Cavanaugh
as Police
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Haley Joel Osment
as Little Boy
