Delirious (1991) User Reviews (49)

Maybe you have to be a writer...

[Bob-45 · 7/10 · 27 February 2001]

Just as I disagreed with the critics whom universally panned DELIRIOUS, I must disagree with most IMDB reviewers. I believe this is a genuinely funny movie, quite original and inspired. Sure, there are more than a few things in it that don't work (particularly the casting of Mariel Hemingway as the love interest); but, what writer hasn't a fantasy of being a part of his creation? The high point of the movie is the "guest" appearance by Robert Wagner. The big surprise is how funny Raymond Burr turns out to be. Despite her "spoiled brat" vixenishness, I would still take Emma Samms over the awkward, nerdy Miss Hemingway. The cruelist humor in the movie is the disintegration of Samm's brother. It's also probably the funniest thing about the film.

DELIRIOUS may not be to EVERYONE'S taste, but I happily purchased the laser disc a few years back. I watch it about once a year, and call it my "writer's fix". Enjoy it if you are a mind to...

Help, I'm Trapped In My Own Soap Opera

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 7 September 2008]

That's John Candy's dilemma in Delirious. Candy's a writer for a popular television day time soap which seems to bear more resemblance to the night time big budget soaps so popular in the Eighties. Anyway after some creative differences with fellow writers Jerry Orbach and Renee Taylor, Candy gets into a nasty car wreck and when he wakes up finds himself in the hospital of his own show being treated by a couple of the characters of same, doctor David Rasche and nurse Andrea Thompson.

After seeing this, I see where the creators of Pleasantville got their idea. Pleasantville of course was a bit more serious in its subject matter. Delirious was a good idea that didn't quite come off although the players do give it a good try.

Part of the problem is that even in the fantasy Candy's thinking with his hormones. He's got it bad for his show's star Emma Sammes who is doing a nice Joan Collins impersonation. There's good girl Mariel Hemingway who is auditioning in real life for a part on Candy's soap opera and she shows up in the fantasy as well.

I have to give special kudos to Raymond Burr who plays the family patriarch of this soap opera with tongue firmly in cheek. Burr's occasionally flashes a twinkle which you have to be sure to catch just to let you know how much he's enjoying this. Nice he took time off from Perry Mason here.

Sammes and Burr are the real treats of Delirious. It could have been a lot funnier, but I think someone like Mel Brooks should have directed it.

A decent Candy vehicle

[LCShackley · 7/10 · 10 January 2007]

This is a much more watchable film than many of the lightweight vehicles Candy took part in in his post-SCTV career. His part could have been played by any number of comic actors, but John steps in and gives it his best shot. He's always fun to watch on screen, and he has a good time here without going over the top, which he tended to do.

DELIRIOUS is a weird mixture of Groundhog Day, Soapdish, and various Rod Serling scripts in which the characters in a story are being controlled by someone at a typewriter. It's a workable premise, and the actors make the most of the stock soap opera characters they play. David Rasche, Emma Samms, Raymond Burr et al were well-chosen for their parts. Bit parts by Robert Wagner and Marvin Kaplan (the voice of Choo-Choo on TOP CAT) are also memorable. Mariel Hemingway takes some flak on this comment board for her part, but she seemed suited for the role and moved smoothly from her gawky character to the soap opera "devil woman." This is a pleasant comedy but not as consistently funny as SOAPDISH. The script by veteran writers of Gilligan's Island and Bewitched suffers from a lot of unnecessary "language" (for what could otherwise be a family film) but moves along at a brisk pace (except for the longish horse-riding scenes).

Funny John Candy movie.

[Cablebot3000 · 7/10 · 18 August 2008]

This is a really good movie to watch if you like silly/fun movies, parody movies, or john candy. It has a great blend of comedy, wit, action and all sorts of other things. I am pretty surprised by the low rating. Its not the best movie by any means, but greatly above standard and really enjoyable. The actors/actresses were funny and did their parts nicely. Its not exactly original though, and it doesn't look like it had the best budget, but it does what its suppose to.. make us laugh. Definitely worth checking to see if your video store rental has it. I rate it 7/10. Rated PG for sensuality, crude humor, language and comic violence.

B.R.I.L.L.I.A.N.T

[Gmarkjames · 11 August 2002]

This is one superb movie. I can watch it over and over and over again without tiring of it. John Candy is as engaging and as superbly comic as ever in this little gem. Also has a great cast including Emma Samms, Charles Rocket, Raymond Burr and Mariel Hemingway. ONE TO WATCH!

A Nice Comedy

[SeptumSin · 6/10 · 3 September 2008]

I have recently re-watched one of John Candy's more interesting films done around the subject of the soap opera. This film stars Candy as a producer of a Soap Opera that ends up being pulled into his own world where he has the opportunity (or misfortune) to interact with the characters that he created to love and hate.

This movie is pretty good. I felt that the entertainment value is fair and it is re-watchable. The cast interacts well and there are some very funny moments. I enjoy this film but unfortunately it falls in around the same basic feel that most comedies had at this time so don't expect the spectacular or a film that is gut wrenchingly funny. If you are looking for a film that is enjoyable and fairly pleasing this one has a good feel to it.

Soap Opera fantasy/spoof - typical John Candy comedy but not his best

[HelenMary · 5/10 · 18 May 2013]

Slightly along the lines of My Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter but the other way around and with fantasy rather than contrivance, with similar comedy and cheesy soap opera acting/story lines. It's silly, ridiculous but typical of soap opera shenanigans and it's quite a good spoof in that regard. John Candy is typical John Candy and everyone else is over-the-top, including Robert Wagner as himself and Raymond Burr in a comedic role, and Jerry Orbach too!

Delirious is a crazy romp set in a fantasy town created by a lovesick soap opera scriptwriter. In a concussion-induced delirium Jack Gable (Candy) thinks he's inside his own soap opera and uses his writing to make himself into a dashing hero. It's Hollywood schmaltz but rather enjoyable and good for silly giggles. Lots of silly stunts (pretty impressive horsemanship) but shockingly bad sound/dubbing and there's lots of holes in the production. Overall a nice rainy afternoon watch. Wouldn't recommend it or necessarily watch it again although I really like John Candy, however, this was by no means Uncle Buck.

no surprise that a combo of John Candy and "Hungarian Rhapsody #2" comes out fairly neat

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 17 October 2007]

I guess that "Delirious" was mostly one of John Candy's innocuously silly placeholders in between his really great roles, but it's still a fairly entertaining one. Maybe not rip-snorting hilarity - after "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", it's hard to imagine Candy in a funnier role - but an OK way to pass time. As a screenwriter who gets knocked out and wakes up a character in his own show, Candy makes the most of his role. Among the other cast members are Mariel Hemingway, Raymond Burr (in his final theatrical role), Jerry Orbach, Robert Wagner and Margot Kidder.

Oh, and if you think that you recognize "Hungarian Rhapsody #2", the classic Looney Tunes cartoons often used it: "Rhapsody in Rivets", "Rhapsody Rabbit", "Wise Quackers" and "What's Up, Doc?", to name a few. Later, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" had Daffy Duck and Donald Duck play it on pianos and undermine each other's performances.

John Candy's charms can't save this

[SnoopyStyle · 4/10 · 1 June 2015]

Jack Gable (John Candy) is the writer of a successful soap opera in NYC. He's in love with manipulative diva Laura Claybourne (Emma Samms). Louise (Mariel Hemingway) is the bumbling new actress. The Sherwoods are interfering producers looking to kill off Laura's character. He gets hit on the head and finds himself in the soap opera in Ashford Falls Community Hospital after a car accident. He discovers that he can manipulate the characters by rewriting the story.

John Candy's ample amount of charms can't salvage this movie. The problem is that the soap opera is fake and the only compelling character is Candy. It also doesn't help that the best he has to work with in this movie is Mariel Hemingway. At least, she's game even if she's not that able. This is a miss.

Fun film, not a classic, but has its moments

[stuprince · 7/10 · 10 August 2007]

An enjoyable premise and pulled off really well in spots, Delirious is a fun film that spoofs soap's (similar to the TV show Soap)by allowing a soap writer played by John Candy to dream that he is in the soap opera he writes for. While it the dream, he can change what is happening each moment by simply typing it out on his typewriter, most of what he writes involves his anger toward the shows other writers and a vehicle to make himself a sexy leading man while wooing his love interest played by Emma Sands. Because at some moments Candy's character is simply trying to get rid of people, Candy writes some funny, if weird, things that the characters can't even figure out why they are doing them.

Although the movie lags in places, it has some of the funniest lines I have ever heard in movies, especially the Robert Wagner lines about Cleveland and the running gag about cable TV repairmen and having to wait for them. The cable gag is really dated (I haven't had black bar issues in about 15 years)as is other parts of the film, but it still works.

Raymond Burr does a great deadpan job in his final theatrical performance. Muriel Hemmingway really stinks it up, the rest of the cast is made up of soap actors who do a nice job of spoofing their own genre.

Another good flick that spoofs soaps is Soapdish, does not have the fantasy piece of Delirious, but is also very funny.

Not funny

[13Funbags · 3/10 · 30 May 2019]

The only funny thing about this movie is that the very manly Hemingway plays the love interest and not the transvestite mechanic. The huge plot hole at the end will make you regret watching this.

How did I miss this?

[pritchardmark · 10/10 · 4 November 2018]

27 years after it was made I discovered this with my tween kids. We never laughed out loud at a movie so much in ages. Clever story, so many hilarious moments. Loved it.

Good By John Candy Standards

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 30 August 2013]

A soap opera writer (John Candy) gets hit on the head and wakes up as a character in his own show.

I have to say I am not generally a fan of John Candy's films. Some are better than others, but I never think of his as a starring role kind of guy. This film was different. I guess it flopped, but I am not sure why -- it is clever, charming and an overall fun little film. I would recommend to friends and family.

The whole concept of a writer being able to write his world is awesome, and while it has been done elsewhere, I am not sure it has ever been done with such wit as it was here. I mean, really... cold deer? Hilarious.

A waste of a great comic talent

[Dweezle67 · 2/10 · 15 March 2008]

John Candy worked so hard trying to make something of this turgid script, but it was a waste of his time. Bad writing by untalented people. This movie was just a series of scenes with no forward momentum to the plot. And how many times did they have to run the same boring riff about soap opera plots twists? Once was enough 'cause it wasn't funny the first time! Not an original idea anywhere, but you sure could tell the writers had seen "Groundhog Day." You have to wonder how a studio could commit to making this script, since it appeared that they spent quite a bit of money on this turkey. Another in a long series of films that prove comedy is harder than it looks.

Delicious in parts

[hatchersan · 9 February 2007]

The all time best line in the movie -- John Candy rescuing Emma Samms on horseback -- "This stranger knows no danger!"

A bit spotty -- can't maintain a high comedy level throughout but nonetheless is enjoyable and a vehicle for John Candy to demonstrate comic range. Excited he will get to spend a romantic weekend tryst with Emma Samms (and misunderstanding her feminine wiles), he finds himself lugging umpteen of her suitcases to the taxi cab, then knocks himself out with the trunk door as he tries to load the suitcases. Wakes up in the pleasant little village where she reappears as new character, daughter of Raymund Burr, along with others in town, Mariel Hemingway et al. Plenty of lines for Candy in trying to write the new soap opera about family conspiracies with a stolen formula, and the rapid disintegration of Emma's brother while none in the family seem to notice or care. Again the highlight to me was the rescue chase by Candy when Emma's horse took her on a wild ride and Candy rides up and self congratulates later as modern day Zorro or Lone Ranger. All in all, enjoyable.

Good but a bit goes a long way.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 12 February 2022]

"Delirious" is an amiable comedy starring John Candy. I liked it but also must admit that the story is slight and the concept, though interesting, seems difficult to maintain for 96 minutes.

Jack (John Candy) is the writer and producer for a daytime soap opera. However, when he's in an accident, he awakens to find himself living in the soap...and everything is very real. However, he also learns after a while that when he writes on his typewriter, things in this world change. So, he soon manages to become a 'Wolf of Wallstreet'...a rich playboy who is catnip for women and with almost god-like powers! What's next? Well, you can pretty much predict it from the clumsily written meet cute with Janet early in the story.

I enjoyed this one but just felt it had difficulty maintaining its momentum. It also was incredibly easy to predict much of what happens as a result of this weird experience...so much so that the finale seemed like a foregone conclusion. A good time-passer but not among Candy's best.

An unsung Candy classic.

[tonyross-728-972850 · 7/10 · 26 April 2020]

I thought I'd delve into the lesser known movies of John Candy and this really did have many laugh out loud moments, 90 enjoyable minutes.

GREAT IDEA, BUT...

[matija-trost · 5/10 · 19 July 2001]

...unfortunatelly not that great realization. All in all, throughout the movie i have a feeling that it could be done a lot more with a first-class producer and a actors, though John Candies is quite allright, but sadly nothing more. But, despite that, the comedy brings a few great laughs and that's why i give this movie 5 out of 10.

Not John Candy's Best, But Still Pretty Great!

[sixstringscouser · 7/10 · 1 September 2001]

Many people on IMDB say this movie is boring and that there is no laughs. That is ridiculous! This movie is great! OK it's not the most original idea for a movie, but I'm a real John Candy fan and he makes me like it. Basically, this movie is about a writer Jack Gable (Candy) who writes for a popular TV soap opera called 'Beyond Our Dreams' when one day, after being knocked out, he appears in his own soap and is able to write what happens in it! Candy carried this movie well with support from the lovely Mariel Hemmingway and Emma Samms, but I feel I have to note that the ending to this film was a complete let down and just too obvious! But overall I enjoyed this perfectly watchable movie from THE LATE, GREAT JOHN CANDY! 8/10

If only it were just a little bit better

[studioAT · 3/10 · 21 September 2019]

This is one of those John Candy films that you wish was just that 10% better, to be worthy of the great man's talents.

It all starts well enough, but the one joke premise outstays its welcome pretty quickly, and Candy can't save it.

There's A Lota Love In This Room

[no-skyline · 7/10 · 16 June 2005]

Flimsy comedy carried by the likability of John Candy as Jack Gable a third rate script writer on a failing daytime soap opera. After an accident Jack awakens in Ashford Falls the town he created in the TV show with all his characters brought to life. He soon realises his typewriter gives him the ability to write his own destiny and go from Jack Gable the bumbling writer to Jack Gates the wolf of Wall Street. The film has some neat ideas the comedy is a tad hit and misses but John Candy is as reliable as ever pulling this movie from the depths it would have gone without him. Other characters are broad soap archetypes and exist solely as props in the John Candy show. The film is passable and raises a few laughs Raymond Burr and Robert Wagner make funny guest appearances and supporting characters Ty, Dr Kirkwood and Blake all have their moments. An enjoyable bit of comedy fluff 7/10

Not Once Did I Laugh Or Smirk

[iquine · 3/10 · 21 November 2018]

(Flash Review)

This movie actually had a plot that could have been rather entertaining. A soap opera producer and writer gets into a car accident, bumps his head and ends up inside the world he invented...on paper. He quickly learns he can write scenarios that will then happen in the quirky reality. He recreates himself into a wealthy man of mystery to win over a fancy upper class woman. Completely terrible acting, which I presume was trying to parody bad soap opera acting but the real scenes blended in with the soap parody scenes so everything was overacted and dismal. Additionally, there were bad sound effects for physical gags. So bad I began to wonder how the sound guy made the sounds. The drama stems from side effects from what he writes and not thinking through repercussions of his fairy tale desires. I like John Candy but maybe someone else will find this more funny than I.

Creative

[Jobe#1 · 10/10 · 25 June 1999]

Delirious is a creative and funny master piece. I enjoyed every minute that I watch of the show. It was very nonpredictable and suprised me many of times. The writers of this show wrote this movie with style, and having John Candy, the greatest actor in the world, made the movie that much better. It was enjoyable and fun to watch. It is even a great show to bring your kids to. i would recommend this show to anybody who likes comedy and likes John Candy.

Not Candy's best, but still a lot of fun.

[FiendishDramaturgy · 6/10 · 29 December 2003]

John Candy has done some great comedies; Only the Lonely, Uncle Buck, The Great Outdoors, to name but a few. And while this is far from his best, it is still great fun to watch.

The premise begins with Candy as the screenwriter for a cheesy day-time soap opera. After receiving a bump on the head, he awakens to find himself caught in the script he has been writing. He is now one of his own characters and has to endeavor to find his way back to this alternate reality, or so it would seem.

This premise is done well here, but was done far better (and darker) in "In the Mouth of Madness," the horror production featuring Sam Neill.

While I found this movie to be fun, as I said, it is not the best of Candy's films.

I highly suggest "The Great Outdoors," & "Uncle Buck." "Summer Rental" wasn't bad, either. One of Candy's least known, yet better, films, in my opinion.

This movie rates a 5.8/10 from...

the Fiend :.

"Good Comedy!"

[gwnightscream · 5/10 · 20 March 2014]

John Candy, Mariel Hemingway, Emma Samms, Raymond Burr, Dylan Baker, Charles Rocket, Andrea Thompson and David Rasche star in this 1991 comedy. The late, great, Candy plays Jack Gable, a writer who gets into an accident and dreams he's on his soap opera, "Beyond Our Dreams." He plays along as wealthy tycoon, Jack Gates and begins writing his way through town trying to impress rich woman, Rachel Hedison (Samms). Jack also meets, Janet Dubois (Hemingway), a botanist whom he finds romance with. Jack eventually comes back to reality and tries to better the show. The late, Burr (Perry Mason) plays Rachel's father and industrialist, Carter, Baker (Spider-Man 2) plays Carter's son, Blake who begins having side effects from an experimental drug, the late, Rocket (Dumb and Dumber) plays Carter's other son, Ty who has one eye, Thompson (NYPD Blue) plays nurse, Helen Caldwell who tries to win the affections of doctor, Paul Kirkwood (Rasche) whom is engaged to Rachel and Robert Wagner (Hart to Hart) also appears as the actual, Jack Gates. This is a good comedy I've always enjoyed, Candy & the cast are great and I recommend it.