Brain Donors

1992

Brain Donors (1992)

TOMATOMETER

45%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

85%

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Movie Info

Brain Donors is a game attempt to redo the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera in a contemporary setting. John Turturro plays the "Groucho" character, a shifty lawyer (he's even given a Grouchoesque three-barrelled moniker). Bob Nelson is the "Harpo" counterpart, a puckish handyman. And Mel Smith completes the trio as a Chico-like cabbie. All three conspire to save a failing ballet company on behalf of dowager Nancy Marchand, who does a film-length impersonation of Margaret Dumont. At times, Pat Proft's script comes off more like a 3 Stooges short than a Marx Brothers romp, but that's not so bad. What hurts the film is its fluctuating pace, which shifts into neutral just when it should go into hyperdrive. Will Vinton's Claymation opening titles supply some of the film's biggest laughs.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Dennis Dugan
  • Written By:
    Pat Proft
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Paramount Home Video

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Cast

John Turturro
as Roland T. Flakfizer
Bob Nelson
as Jacques
Mel Smith
as Rocco
Nancy Marchand
as Lillian
John Savident
as Lazlo
George De La Pena
as The Great Volare
Juli Donald
as Lisa
Spike Alexander
as Alan
Teri Copley
as Blonde
Donna Isaacson
John Lyons
Irene Olga Lopez
as Pedestrian
Anita Dangler
as Usherette
Charlotte Zucker
as Woman with Program
Max Alexander
as L.A. Stage Manager
Dick Corman
as Theatre Janitor
Jim Smith
as Stage Hand
Dennis Dugan
as Stage Hand
Eddie Griffin
as Messenger
Louisa Abernathy
as Nurse
Kathleen Doyle
as Nurse
Richardson Morse
as Jailor
Jason Ross-Azikiwe
as Precinct Cop
Thomas Mikal Ford
as Cop
Matthew Sussman
as Cop
Charles Dugan
as N.Y. Stage Manager
Barbara Schillaci
as Stuffy Patron
Eric Poppick
as Chauffeur
Gary Grossman
as Father
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Critic Reviews for Brain Donors

All Critics (11)

This are fun and games with a scantily clad young woman. But by today standards, it's not very naughty stuff.

May 30, 2018 | Full Review…
Hartford Courant

Pleasant little comedy with lots and lots of gags.

Dec 4, 2016 | Full Review…
Classic Film and Television

Weird reworking of Night at the Opera that's more peculiar than successful.

Dec 4, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Someone needed to donate one to this director.

Aug 16, 2002 | Rating: 2/5
Zap2it.com

The jokes come so frequently you won't even have time to sneer at the lame ones. And yeah, a lot of 'em are kinda lame. John Turturro is, however, a man possessed.

Jul 26, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/5
eFilmCritic.com
View All Critic Reviews (11)

Audience Reviews for Brain Donors

Every Marx brothers movie condensed into one hell of a zany adventure. This movie is gut bustingly funny.

Ken Stachnik
Ken Stachnik

Super Reviewer

½

Amazingly funny film with great performances by all the cast, especially Turturro. Great one-liners are delivered at a rapid pace and this movie is worthy of being put alongside the Marx Bros series even though it's only an "homage". "I want you to have my children... they're out in the car" Hilarious, and no, I'm not making fun of you Timbo.

Christopher Brown
Christopher Brown

Super Reviewer

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