Fun but very weird. Funnyman Steve Martin seen in a different light. Adam Sandler had a small strange role. Liev Schreiber has a part that you do not expect. Lots of actors in this that have starred in top movie and TV roles so for that, it is worth a watch but not a keeper.
3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Christine S. from NEWINGTON, CT Reviewed on 1/17/2014...
Very funny as most of Steve martin's movies are. Of course, they are endearing as well. Great acting from the master- Madeline Kahn.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
R.Eileen B. Reviewed on 12/29/2013...
This really is a funny movie, it may take awhile before it really gets going but we like watching it during the holidays.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Shane S. from ELLINWOOD, KS Reviewed on 6/20/2009...
I found this movie to be quite funny, in a different kind of way. If you like Steve Martin, be sure to check this out. It's very good, again in a different kind of way.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Caron H. (pimpmonkey) from STARKE, FL Reviewed on 12/18/2007...
This is one of those movies where the secondary characters completely steal the show. I'm a big Madeline Kahn fan anyways, but if they'd cast anyone else in her role it would have totally bit.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
What are they *TALKING ABOUT?!!!* I give it 5 stars
Archimedes | Pennsylvania | 10/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was shocked to read the faint praise of the editorial reviewer! Gosh, this is one of my most favorite movies, especially for Christmas!Yes, they're a bunch of lovable losers, yes, I'm a sentimental slob, and no, I think the movie is an absolute winner.Be warned: I think movies like "Blazing Saddles", "Dracula: Dead & Loving It" are funny. I like Get Smart, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, etc etc. I guess I'm just not reviewer material!I think Madeline Kahn is brilliant in this; so is Adam Sandler (which is saying a lot; ... well, he's not actually brilliant, but he does a great ensemble job--I don't know how to describe it. He contributes, okay?) Everyone is at least competent.The movie is far far greater than the sum of its parts. To the director, I must say: wow. You're good, kid.Arch"
Twisted sense of humor.
skunktrain | So. California, USA | 12/16/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I laughed all the way through this movie. It has a definite WARPED sense of humor, so be prepared. Either you'll love it, or hate it. I chose to love it.All the characters are great in this film. I always enjoy Steve Martin, and he was quite amusing and clever in this movie. Rita Wilson (Tom Hank's real life wife) is quite delightful as Martin's lovely but underappreciated coworker (and potential love interest). The late Madeline Kahn is my particular favorite--she has the most sharp and clever sense of humor, and her talents are displayed well in this movie. There are plenty of other future stars in this film (Adam Sandler, Jon Stewart, and so on) and they all do well in their parts. The story goes awry during the last 20 minutes or so, so suspend your disbelief. It isn't supposed to make sense, or be realistic. (Or at least, it ought not be!) It's just a bizarre and funny movie. There's also lot of gallows humor here, so be warned, and just allow yourself to appreciate it!Christmas on Venice Beach is certainly a unique experience in this movie!"
A Christmas Tradition
snlkidsinhall | Topeka, Kansas United States | 12/24/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For me this movie has hit my list of movies I watch at Christmas: also on that list are "Christmas Vacation" and "A Christmas Story." I don't understand what was so horrible about this movie. Yes, it's ourageous and silly, but it's Steve Martin and Adam Sandler and Robert Klein and Madeline Kahn all together in one movie. What do you expect?I'm not going to blow the storyline, because it's outragous and hilarious. It never looses momentum at all. Pure comic genius. In the end I feel like a light bulb, I'm just glowing. It's hilarous and at the end it touches a note, it hits and key and you go, "Wow...how true." Although it may get corny at times, who cares, it's a wonderful Christmas comedy that showcases some great comedic talent. Besides Sandler, Martin, Kahn and Klein it also has many other great actors, including Liev Schreiber in drag, Rita Wilson (who's a great actress and nobody knows her) as a depressed confused lonely woman, Juliette Lewis stark raving mad, Anthony LaPaglia playing dimwitted hopeless boyfriend of Lewis and supposively father of her baby, Garry Shandling as the landlord, Parker Posey and Jon Stewart as two outraged rollerbladers, Rob Reiner as neurotic but helpful vet, and Haley Joel Osment as a small child who says, "Look mom, Santa!" Yup, what a wonderful world and what a wonderful movie."
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!
snlkidsinhall | 09/02/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It puzzles me. Nora Ephron made "Sleepless in Seattle", "You've Got Mail", and "Michael". They all grossed over $100 million at the American box office. "Mixed Nuts" grossed six million at the American box office, and has been subject to bad reviews. How can anyone be so mean as to say something bad about THE greatest Christmas movie of ALL TIME? Why is "It's a Wonderful Life" so hyped up? I thought that was ok. This on the other hand, is one of the main things I look forward to every holiday season. I LOVE THIS MOVIE! Nora Ephron has made a feel good holiday classic which is a present to unwrap every holiday season. I wish everybody would realize that "Its a Wonderful Life" is "Isthar" compared to this wonderful movie. Ephron has directed a brilliant cast. Every single person in this movie is great. Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, Adam Sandler, Liev Schrieber, Rita Wilson, Juliette Lewis, etc. But there is one person who stands out the most and even beats Martin's charming performace-- Madeline Kahn. Just about anything she said had me in hysterics. She makes the role of the unhappy and lonely Mrs. Munchnik so lovable, nobody could have done it better. I thought she definatly deserved an Academy Award for this performance, she put in the funniest performance by an actress in a movie EVER! No other actress made me laugh as much as she did. Kahn is the only reason I watch "Cosby", because normally I never watch TV shows. After seeing her in this, you cannot resist her charm. Madeline also brings some of Mrs. Munchnik with her in her character in "Cosby". She is wonderful.Madeline Kahn, along with director Nora Ephron and a brilliant cast, make this a classic. If you want to escape your holiday woes, this will really lift your spirits with a laugh a minute and a touching ending. Buy this movie and watch it constantly in December like I do. It is a hunderd times more enjoyable than actully opening presents. For Steve Martin fans, this is his best and most charming. Nora Ephron should re unite this cast for another movie like she did with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan after the "Sleepless" success. No Christmas is merry without this movie. Need I say any more"
A GUILTY PLEASURE!... (NOT for the easily offended!)
Christopher Sullivan | New York, NY USA | 11/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Let's face it, setting a comedy at a suicide prevention hotline center smacks of some truly tastless humor. However, black humor/farce doesn't bow to such societal pressure as "inappropriate subject matter". Clearly anyone who has felt the tragedy of suicide in their lives won't take to this one bit. However, that being said... "Mixed Nuts" is a TRULY hysterical film. Once again, the late MADELINE KAHN steals the show (like she did in "What's Up Doc?"). It stars a name cast including Steve Martin, Juliette Lewis, Anthony Lapaglia, Adam Sandler, Rob Reiner and Garry Shandling. Rita Wilson is an actress I'm not familiar with but who did a great job here and the drag queen played by Liev Schrieber was awesome! The hijinks revolve around a suicide prevention hotline ("Lifesavers"!) run by a not particularly stable crew. The center is in danger of bankruptcy and all are in fear of the "seaside strangler". Following around the Christmas fruitcake throughout the film is a wonderful plot devise. Seeing Madeline Kahn stuck in the elevator trying to rap on an electronic keyboard is one of the funniest moments I've ever seen on film. It was to the great discredit of the producers of a recent biography on her that this film wan't even mentioned. There are many, many funny moments here and even the soundtrack is exceptional. The upbeat, funky "White Christmas" at the opening, with views of a sunny beach and a snowman made of sand set the tone for this wacky and delightful film. Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" is great as well. If your looking for an outrageous, truly hysterical comedy and don't have easily offended friends, then this movie will make you a hit this Christmas season!!!(Mainstream critics hated it... so you know it MUST be good! It must have been "incorrect" to publicly admit to liking it!!!) My congratulations to Nora Ephron for making a comedy classic.Enjoy... and don't forget to pass the fruitcake along!!!"