Search - The Darwin Awards on DVD

Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL
Reviewed on 10/13/2022...

A very different kind of comedy movie. Some really funny moments.

4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 12/23/2017...

Watched this again. It has some real funny darwin situations and humor.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Michel D. (michelann) from WALNUT GROVE, MO
Reviewed on 6/25/2014...

This movie is hilarious! Do not expect it to follow the Darwin Awards specifically but the general idea of idiots doing stupid things then taking themselves out of the gene pool to save the human race is definitely included! Fun and a surprising number of guest appearances make it well worth watching again and again!

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Rose H. from LOUISVILLE, KY
Reviewed on 4/23/2012...

Interesting plot and characters. The humor was quirking, but most of the time it had me laughing out loud.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

The Darwin Awards - Dark Humor, Great Writing and an All-Sta

Mark | East Coast | 10/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Darwin Awards is about an eccentric investigator obsessed with the Darwin Award deaths - awards for those who die in such stupid ways their death raises humanity's IQ.

This movie is not a traditional comedy and will not appeal to everybody. However, if you enjoy dark humor, sharp wit and reading between the lines, you will find a LOT to enjoy in this movie. The script is expertly written, and the cast will make you wonder why you never heard of this movie.

Joe Feinnes plays the detective, and he switches to being an insurance claims investigator when he loses his job at the San Francisco Police Department. He is paired with Winona Ryder, a cynical claims agent slow to accept his psychological theories. In time they grow closer, and eventually she helps him catch the one crook who escaped him as a cop.

The story is filmed from the perspective of a documentary film maker played by Wilmer Valderama. There are also cameo appearances by John Doe (from the L.A. punk band X), beat poet Lawrence Ferlingetti, writer Josh Kornbluth, and Metallica. Add to that an all-star cast that includes:
David Arquette, Juliette Lewis, Julianna Margulies, Robin Tunney, Nora Dunn, Tom Hollander, Alessandro Nivola and the late Chris Penn in his final role. The list goes on.

The dialogue is subtle so I can understand why some might not find this to be their cup of tea. Some of the death stories could have been executed better. The romantic climax of the film also seems forced. Still, the good far outweighs the bad here. If you give this movie a second chance you might be surprised.

Overall, this is a fun movie that will make you laugh. If you are a fan of "Six Feet Under," you will find yourself wondering why there wasn't a mass market for this film. Enjoy!"

Can't make up its mind

L. Last | The realy GREAT lake state | 05/16/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Althought the premise is good, the cast fabulous (chuck full of cameo performances), and the production values above average, this film doesn't know whether it wants to be a Rom-Com, straight comedy, or mystery. So it's all three. The staging of the various "Darwin Awards" is usually VERY funny, and Fiennes does a great job as the lead (he's genuinely funny doing both slapstick and some more 'high-brow' stuff);but Ryder's 'tough-girl' is just too cliched, and you never really get to feel that she is capable of becoming involved with Fiennes. If you are looking for a little mindless fun(and I do mean mindless, as in people doing some really absurd stunts)then you will like this film."

Why do I like this movie?

mk | parker, CO United States | 02/27/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Goofy. Tragic. But why am I laughing? Joseph Fiennes is a Sherlock/ genius in his own world that can't fit into ours. He can't handle the sight of blood, afraid of women, guilty over a botched police collar of a serial killer, and fastidious about safety. Winona Ryder is his foible picking Watson. Two depressed misfits on a journey trying to solve stupid and often fatal insurance claims.

If you like dark, quirky comedies, e.g., The Big Lebowski, or if you like road trip movies, you'll like this. The leads work wonderfully together. Both Ryder and Fiennes need more comedy and less drama in their lives, and they're good at it. The 'cases' are hilarious, but I really enjoyed the 'Odd Couple' leads duking it out as their personalities grate on each other in a tortured, sex-tensed, romantic sort of way.

The other story involving the search for a serial killer is put in there to promote the big climax, and the Peeping-Tom, worthless, documentary student is silly but provides humorous asides.
It's a night of escapism at other people's, who are not at our level of evolutionary development, expense."