Brewster's Millions (1985)

Director:

Walter Hill

Writers:

George Barr McCutcheon (novel)
Herschel Weingrod (writer) ...

Release Date:

22 May 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

An American excess story.

Plot:

A minor league baseball player has to waste $30m in 30 days in order to inherit $300m; however he's not allowed to tell anyone about the $300m deal.

Plot Keywords:

Baseball | Minor League Baseball | Baseball Player | Brooklyn Bridge | Inheritance

Cast

Richard Pryor	...	Montgomery Brewster
John Candy	...	Spike Nolan
Lonette McKee	...	Angela Drake
Stephen Collins	...	Warren Cox
Jerry Orbach	...	Charley Pegler
Pat Hingle	...	Edward Roundfield
Tovah Feldshuh	...	Marilyn
Hume Cronyn	...	Rupert Horn
Joe Grifasi	...	J.B. Donaldo
Peter Jason	...	Chuck Fleming
David White	...	George Granville
Jerome Dempsey	...	Norris Baxter
David Wohl	...	Eugene Provost
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Melvin
Milt Kogan	...	Heller

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Netherlands:MG6 | Finland:S | Norway:7 | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

101 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Davis Entertainment

Trivia:

The exterior of the bar "Torchy's" seen at the beginning of the film, is also pictured in a key scene of the film When a Stranger Calls (1979).

Goofs:

Continuity: On the cover of USA Today it shows a picture of Monty Brewster in front of a podium with his "None of the Above" slogan. The article was to highlight the Yankees exhibition game, and before Brewster had decided to start his mayoral campaign.

Quotes:

Monty Brewster: Marilyn? I could die in this room.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "I Love the 80's 3-D" (2005)

Soundtrack:

In the Nick of Time

Critically acclaimed or not, this comedy hits the spot

When people think of the long legacy of Richard Pryor as a comedian, this film may not be at the top of the list. He has achieved greater heights personally and professionally elsewhere. Many Pryor fans may have skipper over this one altogether with a catalogue of films to choose from that include luminaries from "Car Wash" to "Stir Crazy" to "Harlem Nights." That's unfortunate really, because as comedic performances go, Pryor strikes pure gold in this unheralded film. His manic energy, his sheer frustration with the impossibility of his dilemma (spend 30 million dollars until you are dead broke and not have a single penny or asset left at the end, in order to inherit three HUNDRED million) and the fact that he channels so much believability into what would otherwise be absurd are highly laudable. With an excellent supporting cast that included the likes of John Candy and Jerry Orbach, it's hard to imagine anyone too jaded to enjoy this film. It's ridiculous and over the top, to be sure, but it's also supremely funny in a way much more pretentious comedies can't touch. Pryor breathes life into the film and the film glows as a result. Whether it's on your personal "best comedy" list or not, it's not a film you can easily excuse not watching whether a Pryor fan or not. From third rate baseball playing bum, to toast of the town millionaire, back to a bum again before a highly rewarding ending comedically and emotionally, "Brewster's Millions" pulls off the best trick of all - it makes the viewer feel like a million bucks for having watched it.