Mr. Wrong (1996)

4% of critics liked it
(28 reviews)
29% of users liked it
(8,723 ratings)

Popular comic and television personality Ellen DeGeneres had her first starring role in a feature film in this black comedy. Martha Alston (DeGeneres) is a thirtysomething single working as a producer for a talk show. Ever since Martha's younger sister got married, her parents have been after her to… More Popular comic and television personality Ellen DeGeneres had her first starring role in a feature film in this black comedy. Martha Alston (DeGeneres) is a thirtysomething single working as a producer for a talk show. Ever since Martha's younger sister got married, her parents have been after her to settle down, but Martha has had little luck finding the right guy. On Valentine's Day, Martha is depressed and drinking at a bar when she meets Whitman Crawford (Bill Pullman), who seems like the perfect man -- he's good looking, sensitive, intelligent, and affectionate. However, when she makes the mistake of telling her new beau that he can be himself around her, she discovers the real Whitman -- he's a horrible poet, he likes awful music, he enjoys shoplifting ("Stolen beer just tastes better!"), and he's a borderline psychotic who doses her with LSD for fun. What's more, his mother (Joan Plowright) and ex-girlfriend (Joan Cusack) hate Martha's guts and don't mind telling her so. So how can Martha convince her friends and family that she wants nothing to do with the man of her dreams? More importantly, how does she convince Whitman? ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Nick Castle Jr.
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Feb 16, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jun 4, 2002

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady, Variety
The hip, smart yarn has a bite not seen in American movies since The War of the Roses.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
A dreadful movie.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
This is a romantic comedy parody, but how can you satirize something that's a comedy to begin with? If this motion picture is an example, not only can't it be done, but the result is downright ugly.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
A sour, listless debunking of romantic comedies.
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
Like its title character, Mr. Wrong doesn't know when to quit.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
As directed sloppily by Nick Castle, this comedy barely lets its main characters develop, even though either of them could be great fun.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A tiresome, awkwardly directed farce that squanders the talents of its appealing stars.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Charming and funny Ellen DeGeneres made her big-screen leap--make that 'dive'--in this most uncharming and unfunny black comedy.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
So-so, forgettable De Generes-Pullman vehicle.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Likeable performers mired in a laugh-free comedy zone.
Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Canadian
Fascinating in retrospect as a lesbian's take on dating men.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Fitting title.
Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com
Wrong, all wrong, Ellen in Romantic Leads -- Not!
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Had potential, but don't a lot of clunkers
Christine James, Boxoffice Magazine
Pullman, often cast as The Nice Guy, has fun playing the heel, but due to the writing we don't get to share in the fun very much.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Bill Pullman is always a pleasure, but not even his fantastically dry wit can salvage this slow-motion train wreck.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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

Spencer S

Usually I don't give films such a low rating, but this was undoubtedly one of the worst films I have ever seen. Ellen held on for dear life, but between Bill Pullman's over the top performance and the terrible script, it was headed for disaster right off.
Anthony L

Without a doubt one of the worst films I've ever seen. I could write at great length as to why this film fails in so many ways but I don't want to, I have better things to do and I have already wasted 97 minutes of my life watching it. Needless to say, there is nothing of… More
Without a doubt one of the worst films I've ever seen. I could write at great length as to why this film fails in so many ways but I don't want to, I have better things to do and I have already wasted 97 minutes of my life watching it. Needless to say, there is nothing of quality contained in this film and you should avoid it at all costs!
Naughtia N

I enjoyed watching this movie. Ellen DeGeneres is a woman who seeks the perfect man to start a relationship with but when she seemingly finds Mr. Right, he turns out to be Mr. Wrong because he shows an entirely different and wacky personality. When she tries to convince all the other… More
I enjoyed watching this movie. Ellen DeGeneres is a woman who seeks the perfect man to start a relationship with but when she seemingly finds Mr. Right, he turns out to be Mr. Wrong because he shows an entirely different and wacky personality. When she tries to convince all the other people about his personality changes they won't believe her. I had loads of fun watching this movie but it seemed a little cheesy at times.
Sunil J

Bill Pullman is wonderfully creepy in this movie.
Miriam K

This film was FUNNY and prety underrated. Im not an Ellen Degeneres fan but I liked thismovie.
Leo L

Very funny!

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Ellen DeGeneres as Martha Alston

            Bill Pullman as Whitman Crawford

            Joan Cusack as Inga Gunther

            Dean Stockwell as Jack Tramonte

            Joan Plowright as Mrs. Crawford

            John Livingston as Walter

            Wayne Alexander as Man at Opera

            Louie Anderson as Himself

            Christine Cattall as Nancy Culpepper

            Ellen Cleghorne as Jane

            Maddie Corman as Missy

            John Cothran Jr. as Old Man

            Hope Davis as Annie

            Hector Elias as Mexican Lieutenant

            Robert Goulet as Dick Braxton

            Polly Holliday as Mrs. Alston

            Casey Kasem as Mexican Detective

            Jean Kasem as Herself

            Christopher Kriesa as Cop #2

            Frank Roman as James

            Camille Saviola as Consuela

            Peter White as Mr. Alston

            Shea Farrell as Priest

            Frank Lugo as Priest

            Jonathan Hernandez as Himself

            Bob Harvey as Elder Neighbor

            Brad William Henke as Bob

            Gilbert B. Combs as Bartender
See full cast