200 Motels

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

57%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 7

68%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,660

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Movie Info

This comic rockumentary-style musical imparts the experiences of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention during a prolonged (and largely imaginary) road tour. This roisterous fable is brought to the screen in a number of colorful and improbable episodes without a strong narrative connection, but is accompanied by music composed specifically for the film by Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. The musicians are inspired to bring poetic justice to Centerville, a Midwestern town which is too bland to continue in existence. Among the dramas enacted is the defection of one drummer, the firing of another, and Zappa's announcement to the band and film crew that he would hire the next person to walk in the door, a man who proves to be Ringo Starr's chauffeur. Folk musician Theodore Bikel plays in a number of different roles, and Ringo Starr appears briefly, disguised as Frank Zappa. The Who drummer Keith Moon also makes an appearance.

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Cast

The Mothers of Invention
as Themselves
Theodore Bikel
as Rance Muhammitz / Dave
Ringo Starr
as Larry The Dwarf / Frank Zappa
Keith Moon
as The Hot Nun
Mothers of Invention
Jimmy Carl Black
as Lonesome Cowboy Burt
Martin Lickert
as Jeff
Janet Ferguson
as Groupie
Tony Palmer
Lucy Offerall
as Groupie
Frank Zappa
as Himself
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Pamela Miller
as Interviewer
George Duke
as Member of Mothers of Invention
Don Preston
as Bif Debris
Howard Kaylan
as Member of Mothers of Invention
Dick Barber
as Industrial Vacuum Cleaner
Jim Pons
as Himself
Ruth Underwood
as Fake Drummer
Judy Grindley
as Chorus Leader
Mark Volman
as Member of Mothers of Invention
Aynsley Dunbar
Ian Underwood
Elgar Howarth
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Critic Reviews for 200 Motels

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (5)

  • 200 Motels has no particular focal point, being principally an anthology of poor jokes and spectacular audio-visual effects, a few of which might expand the mind, but all of which, taken together, are like an overdose of Novocain.

    Sep 10, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/5

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • The incidents are often outrageously irreverent. The comedy is fast and furious, both sophisticated and sophomoric.

    Sep 10, 2007 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • A real dinosaur.

    Sep 10, 2007 | Full Review…

    Trevor Johnston

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Zappa's most ambitious compositions (performed by the London Philharmonic) share screen time with nostalgic freak humor.

    Sep 10, 2007 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • It assaults the mind with everything on hand.

    Sep 10, 2007 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • 200 Motels may pass for sophistication in some quarters but sophomoric is a better description. It is a mixture of rock music and fantasy with very little story line.

    Sep 15, 2007 | Full Review…

    Tony Mastroianni

    Cleveland Press
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Audience Reviews for 200 Motels

  • Oct 02, 2011
    Ringo Starr IS Larry the Dwarf AS Frank Zappa in this druggy pastiche of skits, solarized footage, crude animations, and an operetta about a penis. Most people will wonder what they were smoking when they came up with this; Zappa fans will wonder where they can get some.
    Greg S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 02, 2009
    Five stars for effort. A colorful and flamboyant look at The Mothers of Invention. Funny, but disjointed and unfocused. More sensationalism and absurdity than plot, but entertaining for any Zappa fan. Captures the spirit of the psychedelic era.
    Pamela D Super Reviewer
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