Nuts

1987

Nuts

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

36%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 22

72%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,194
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Movie Info

High-priced hooker Claudia Draper (Barbra Streisand) has been arrested for the murder of one of her clients. The attorney engaged by Claudia's parents hopes to cop an insanity plea so that she can avoid a trial and manslaughter conviction. But she refuses this, citing a proviso in New York law that may result in her spending the rest of her life in an institution. Against all odds, struggling lawyer Aaron Levinsky (Richard Dreyfuss) tries to prove that Claudia is not crazy and is capable of standing trial. He certainly has his work cut out for him; from what we've seen in the film thus far, the violently impulsive Claudia is not only "nuts," but certifiably so. Though she has plenty of opportunity in Nuts to give out with her usual bravura Streisandisms, Streisand (who also produced the film and wrote the songs) is surprisingly restrained through most of the proceedings. And then there's that extended-monologue climax. Nuts was adapted by Tom Topor, Darryl Ponicsan, and Alvin Sargent from Topor's stage play.

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Cast

Barbra Streisand
as Claudia Draper
Richard Dreyfuss
as Aaron Levinsky
Maureen Stapleton
as Rose Kirk
Karl Malden
as Arthur Kirk
Eli Wallach
as Dr. Herbert A. Morrison
Robert Webber
as Francis MacMillan
James Whitmore
as Judge Stanley Murdoch
Leslie Nielsen
as Allen Green
William Prince
as Clarence Middleton
Paul Benjamin
as Harry Harrison
Dakin Matthews
as 1st Judge
Warren Manzi
as Saul Krieglitz
Elizabeth Hoffman
as Dr. Johnson
Castulo Guerra
as Dr. Arantes
Haley Taylor-Block
as 11 year-old Claudia
Tyra Ferrell
as Cell Woman #2
Nicole Burdette
as Cell Woman #3
Valentina Quinn
as Cell Woman #3
Carlos Cervantes
as Cell Man #1
Ron Cummins
as Arraignment Court Clerk
Roydon E. Clark
as Guard #1
Conni Marie Brazelton
as Court Officer #2
Bruce Barbour
as Guard #3
Tony Rolon
as Defendant Gonzales
Tina Lifford
as Lawyer #2
Edward Blackoff
as Bar Patron #2
Billy Kane
as Attendant #2
Darryl Ponicsan
as Bar Patron #3
Lavelle Roby
as Correction Officer #1
Shirley Jo Finney
as Correction Officer #2
Sharon Barr
as Dayroom Woman #1
Leontine Guilliard
as Dayroom Woman #6
Suzanne Kent
as Card Playing Patient
Sarina C. Grant
as Cell Woman #1
Allison Caine
Sydney Urshan
as Cell Man
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Critic Reviews for Nuts

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (6)

View All Critic Reviews (22)

Audience Reviews for Nuts

  • Oct 05, 2013
    Richard Dreyfuss on fire, Leslie Nielson in a serious role and Barbra Streisand playing her part as per usual effortlessly well
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
  • Feb 08, 2011
    It was slightly unbelievable for me since if I'd such a client to defend who is not willing to co-operate the least, I don't think I'd touch that case. Or else give up easily. Then again, I ain't no lawyer!!! They show her crossing the limits so many times that it becomes hard to digest it that she ain't a nut. Leaving aside this minor problem, the movie works fine as a courtroom drama.
    familiar s Super Reviewer
  • Feb 18, 2009
    Really powerful and intelligent film based on Tom Topor's Broadway play as this is a highly charged drama that raises some uneasy questions. This is a film that deserves more attention then it originally received, it is honest, though-provoking, and features a brilliant performance from Barbra Streisand as real-life defender Claudia Draper. Richard Dreyfuss also turns in his usual skilled performance as a lawyer who becomes more passionate about the case the longer he is involved with it. His eventual concern for Claudia is touching. And Karl Malden, Maureen Stapleton, James Whitmore, and Leslie Nielsen all play excellent supporting roles.
    Dean M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 15, 2007
    Good movie, and it has a lot to say, especially about sexual abuse and children.
    Morris N Super Reviewer
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