Mixed Nuts

views updated

Mixed Nuts ★ Lifesavers 1994 (PG-13)

Misfits man a suicide hotline on Christmas Eve in this unfunny, pathetic comedy that's a real downer. Director/writer Ephron (along with her co-writer sister Delia) try way too hard to fashion a hip, racy, madcap farce reminiscent of the screwball comedies that Hollywood churned out in the 1930s and ‘40s. Film never finds its style and the storyline is very weak. Most of the performances are over the top, although Martin, Shandling, and Kahn are good for a few amusing scenes. Ephron and the cast are capable of doing so much better, it's a shame their talents are virtually wasted here. Adapted from the French film “Le Pere Noel Est une Ordure.” 97m/C VHS, DVD . Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Robert Klein, Anthony La Paglia, Juliette Lewis, Rob Reiner, Adam Sandler, Rita Wilson, Garry Shandling, Liev Schreiber; D: Nora Ephron; W: Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron; M: George Fenton.