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Movies / On DVD / Better Off Dead
Better Off Dead

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Better Off Dead (1985)

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81 %
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Reviews Counted: 21

Fresh: 17

Rotten:4

Average Rating: 7/10

Consensus: Better Off Dead is an anarchic mix of black humor and surreal comedy, anchored by John Cusack's winsome, charming performance.

Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: Lane Myer's (John Cusack) dreams are shattered when his girlfriend Beth (Amanda Wyss) decides she prefers the company of a sleazy ski jock over his own. This disheartening news leads Lane to... Lane Myer's (John Cusack) dreams are shattered when his girlfriend Beth (Amanda Wyss) decides she prefers the company of a sleazy ski jock over his own. This disheartening news leads Lane to attempt to take his own life in various ways--all of which never seem to work out. But if he can beat Beth's new boyfriend in a ski run down the treacherous K-12, he may be able to win her back. Along the way, Lane also encounters a beautiful French exchange student, a nasal spray-snorting neighbor, a rabid newspaper boy, and dancing hamburgers. "Savage" Steve Holland (ONE CRAZY SUMMER) directs this 1985 cult favorite. [More]

Starring: John Cusack, Curtis Armstrong, David Ogden Stiers, Amanda Wyss

Starring: John Cusack, Curtis Armstrong, David Ogden Stiers, Amanda Wyss, Kim Darby, Diane Franklin, Dan Schneider, Scooter Stevens, Elizabeth Daily

Director: Steve Holland

Director: Steve Holland
Screenwriter: Steve Holland

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Aug 5, 2008

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Better Off Dead

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Unfortunately, only about half of the many jokes and gags in the film are actually funny.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
07/24/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide

perhaps the greatest movie of all time

Full Review Source: sbs.is | comment 1 Comment
07/19/07
Stefan Birgir Stefansson
sbs.is

Hilarious and brilliantly deadpan.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
09/23/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

No review available.

comment Comment
05/15/06
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

I've rarely met anyone who didn't secretly love it passionately.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Brad Laidman
Film Threat

No review available.

comment Comment
08/21/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
03/08/05
Jonathan R. Perry
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

Forget Citizen Kane. As a matter of history, this seminal film is unquestionably the finest work of cinema ever made. Required viewing for all students and fans of the art form.

comment Comment
08/12/03
Carlo Cavagna
AboutFilm.com

strives to be offbeat and sometimes works itself into a sweat doing so. The humor often hits the bullseye, however...

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
07/31/03
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

Classic '80s Cusack vehicle.

comment Comment
07/14/03
Fred Topel
About.com

Better Off Dead's charm stems from its imagination and attitude.

Full Review Source: Movie Views | comment Comment
07/10/03
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

The film doesn't seem to have much of a focus. But it doesn't seem to want one, either.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

John Cusack launched his career as a lovable loser at love with this teen comedy about a guy who gets dumped when his girlfriend decides to trade up.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/10/03
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

No review available.

comment Comment
11/13/02
Dan Jardine
Apollo Guide

John Cusack can even turn a no-brainer into worthwhile entertainment

comment Comment
09/17/02
Clint Morris
Moviehole

No review available.

comment Comment
09/12/02
Brent Simon
Entertainment Today

No review available.

comment Comment
08/30/02
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

A unique, kooky gem.

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
08/08/02
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

Although the plot is sweet and simple, the laughs are what make this movie stand out.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
08/08/02
Janet Branagan
Apollo Guide

It's a sure bet you're gonna have fun.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
08/08/02
Oz
eFilmCritic.com
 
 
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Latest News for Better Off Dead

February 21, 2006: Bob Clark Gets "Spring Broke" while Stern Readies "Porky's" Redo
Director Bob Clark ("Porky's," "A Christmas Story") has announced that he will go back to his teen-sex-comedy roots to direct "Spring Broke," which... More...

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