User reviews

Writer Elmore Leonard has delivered some interesting characters over the years, but up until now it was really only Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown and Barry Sonnenfield's Get Shorty that really successfully brought them to life. The latest attempt to bring another Leonard novel to life comes in the form of Freaky Deaky featuring a great cast including Christian Slater, Crispin Glover, Billy Burke, Michael Jai White, Bill Duke and Andy Dick, but does it deliver the strange and unique qualities needed to bring his characters and world to life?

Freaky Deaky follows an ex-bomb squad officer who is thrust into an investigation filled with rape, revenge, and explosives during circa 1974. At first this film feels like its going to be a complete mess, but then something happens and it sucks you right into this ridiculous world. This is mostly due to the creative and interesting characters that populate this 1970's universe. As the story moves forward each character is seemingly given their own time to shine to help bring this quirky dark comedy to life. The story is a bit all over the place, but works fairly well to due to these quirky strange characters and the bizarre story they are thrust into.

This is far from a perfect movie and there are some moments that just seem out of place or forced, but for the most part it works pretty well. If you are a fan of any of the other Leonard films then you will most likely enjoy this one as well as it comes across s thought it's the same universe. If nothing else, the strange relationship between Michael Jai White and Crispin Glover's characters is worth this whole move.

I love Elmore Leonard I have read just about every novel he has written this is not among my favorites. However some of my favorites (Stick, 52 Pick Up, Rum Punch) have been made into completely terrible films.

This on the other hand is a nice adaptation. Characterizations and dialog doesn't stray much from the original story. Much of it plays out just like it did in my imagination when I read the book. The acting was passable, though I thought Glover (and to a lesser degree Andy Dick) were miscast but they did a decent job. The tone of the movie was light and breezy just like the novel. I would love to see the director take a crack at one of Leonard's better novels like Stick or The Hunted.

Watching movies without any previous knowledge of them is how I experience them. Sometimes I might know the book, graphic novel or whatever source it is based on. In this case, I had no idea there was a book, therefor cannot compare it to it whatsoever. From reading from other sources it seems to be a good interpretation of it. I can only say that it has a nice vibe to it (guess the book had the same thing going on then).

Michael Jai White might seem to have the weakest character at first, but seems to have more going on (also acting wise) than some of the others. Everyone is having fun though and it's tough to really dislike the movie, I think. It's good little fun, even for those who didn't know what a "Freaky Deaky" is ...

I wanted to like this film. I love Elmore Leonard novels, and loved Get Shorty, 52 Pickup, Get Straight and Jackie Brown (Rum Punch). In the hands of a master like Tarantino, Elmore Leonard's complex and fast-paced plots, with numerous characters throwing witty street banter around, really shine.

Unfortunately, Charles Mattheau isn't up to the task, and characters are miscast, pacing is awful, even the score is wrong in so many places. This film often comes off as a bad TV tongue-in-cheek crime show, complete with dramatic musical flourishes when the camera zooms in on the sexy legs of actresses Sabina Gadeki and Breanne Racano. (Their legs and other beautiful body parts are the best things about these mediocre actresses, in my opinion). The explosion scenes are evidence of a severe shortage in the sfx budget as well as the actor budget.

Even the usually outstanding Crispin Glover as the spacey drunken rich guy Woody Ricks is tepid, either overacting scenes or underacting them. Everything seems out of sync in this film.

Perhaps I'm holding it up to too high of a standard with the aforementioned Leonard film adaptations. But it is what it is...and cool 70's sets and apparel (the novel was set in the 60s), witty Leonard dialog and clever plot apparently weren't enough for director Mattheau to pull this off. I have to believe Elmore Leonard is supremely disappointed in this effort, since as I recall he labeled this his favorite novel. One can only hope that someday a director like Tarantino remakes this film the right way, and captures the crazy 60's vibe from the novel.

Well, this movie was poorly made. It really was, which is probably why we didn't see it anywhere and I had to actively track it down.

But, a big part of it is likely the budget. It stinks of low budget and you can't really make an ultra low budget period flick and have actually turn out well.

But, 7 of 10 stars because it is unique. The story is original, and that is probably why it had such a low budget feel to it, but that doesn't really matter at all.

You still have an Elmore Leonard movie, which means you still have characters you haven't really encountered in stories before and a plot that you haven't really seen before all in a genre--crime--that is over done and paint-by-numbers.

So, watch it, if nothing more than you are getting a real story, a fresh story, an Elmore Leonard story and he is always worth it...because without him you get more of the same old crap on repeat.

It's a story you probably haven't encountered before and that is always worth a watching.

I once again must ask who I must speak to to get my latest wild imaginings put on film as this is a sure sign that they will make just about any piece of garbage into a film. Elmore Leonard (RIP) has some great works out there and some of the film adaptations of his work have been fine films. Unfortunately Freaky Deaky by Charles Matthau is not to be listed among that group. Christian Slater is a fine actor and brings something great to each role he plays as well as does Crispin Glover, who is the poster boy for edgy character. The biggest mistake the producers made in this film was casting Beanne Racano in a role. She brings new meaning to the term "wooden delivery". Wow, what a stick she is. This women should never be allowed near a script again.If she didn't look like she does and had to audition for the role based on talent, well...... I could not finish watching this film.

I haven't read any books by the writer, but the film had me laughing out loud in a few places. Maybe not Oscar material but for sure it is entertaining.

Loved it! Such an original film with a really talented cast. The plot had me right from the start and there was plenty of laughs to the very end. It's a watch from me.

The movie is set in the 1970s, but there are lots of errors in the props and locations. ITs clear there was no art direction budget to speak OK. There are the requisite TV shots of Richard Nixon and opening credits with the assassinations of the late 60s - Cliché! THe score is very stock.

The movie is really an example of what not to do directing a film. The movie executes mostly professionally on a technical level, but the direction of the actors is either ignored or rushed, so the end impression is a movie that plods and builds no tension nor environment. Plus I guess the film is supposed to be a comedy of sorts. I guess there is some sort of interwoven character plot, but I can't follow it, and there is a gaping lack of any credible villain.

Andy Dick's performance isn't a comeback, but proof he shouldn't be hired, not that his character is given much direction. Christian Slater is also still annoying, and I hoped that his less-cool character would make him more watchable, but it didn't. He's still doing the same old tired rebel/wild off shtick he can't pull off.

MIchael Jai White looks like he's floundering a bit. Crispin Glover is wasted in a ludicrous costume that detracts from every scene he's in.

The cop lead is the only one who really holds any credibility. The actresses are attractive and clichés as well. The underwear shots are gratuitous in the way that makes you think the director is paying more attention to them than the rest of his film.

After an opening when you think it will be a cool underground film, it starts to bore. Slater and Dick wear so thin as to be unwatchable. Other character actors look like they are waiting for direction or slipping out of character.

The film is really so very boring and pointless, and there is no tension, no interest in what is going to happen, nothing. It's a real example of how to make a truly non-compelling film.

With the title of Freaky Deaky I would be surprised if Christian Slater was not in the cast somewhere. Since the 80s he's collected a group of the quirkiest character parts with a nice psychotic edge to them. It's what you expect from a Slater film.

I wish he had been the real lead character here. But that goes to Billy Burke who plays a suspended Detroit police officer and member of the bomb squad. The prologue at the beginning has him going out for a smoke in a drug dealer's house and letting a bomb go off under the chair he's sitting on. That has a few people against him, but he considered it a public service.

Anyway there's a plot in the main body of the story to extort money from a millionaire Crispin Glover. Glover has a former Black Panther Party member Michael Jai White as a retainer/confidante. White is also good.

Freaky Deaky is all right, some will make it a cult film, it has that kind of quality to it.

Why yous blancos wanna be blowin up yo country all the time. No shi man, my family worked hard 2 get here and you alls wanna blowup. Go 2 columbia, you will love. Shii man. An then you alls call this shii art. Yah i speak in a code that yo soylatte a$$ wont ever know. Beesh.

I once again must ask who I must speak to to get my latest wild imaginings put on film as this is a sure sign that they will make just about any piece of garbage into a film. Elmore Leonard (RIP) has some great works out there and some of the film adaptations of his work have been fine films. Unfortunately Freaky Deaky by Charles Matthau is not to be listed among that group. Christian Slater is a fine actor and brings something great to each role he plays as well as does Crispin Glover, who is the poster boy for edgy character. The biggest mistake the producers made in this film was casting Beanne Racano in a role. She brings new meaning to the term "wooden delivery". Wow, what a stick she is. This women should never be allowed near a script again.If she didn't look like she does and had to audition for the role based on talent, well...... I could not finish watching this film.

How have I not heard of this till now? Super funny and with lots of plot twists. If you seen this first then watch the book after. Glad they followed the book closely by one of the most outstanding western and crime fiction writers, Elmore Leonard. 10 stars.

This was a great funny movie for people who really like character actors, facial expressions & modern day scenarios. With notable likeable actors like, Christian Slater, Crispin Glover & Michael Jai White. Crispin Glover is just classic as always in this no brainer comedy about life in Detroit. Swimming pools, million dollar mansions & babes dot the screen with color that will make you chuckle throughout the flick. This is a excellent movie to watch alone or with friends just hanging out on a Thursday night with a glass of wine for a good tongue & cheek laugh. A fun story especially if you like glitter, great acting and excellent cinematography. I really enjoyed the location scenes in this movie too. Crispin Glover is a highlight in this movie. Christian Slater plays a role in this movie that reminds me a little of Bridges in the Great Lebowski, which best describes this genre of film, you watch and tell me what you think? Enjoy, Hollywood Trout

Slick, stylish and scatter shot, Charles Matthau's adaptation of Elmore Leonard's Freaky Deaky is enjoyable viewing. Though the book that the film was based on was resolutely set in the 1980s, Matthau's adaptation has been shifted into the 1970s, which offers up a whole lot more visual fun in terms of costumes, cars, locations and a nicely garish kitsch look. It features a very strong cast and the story essentially deals with three main sets of characters as they interact, all in the pursuit of easy money. They are cynical ex-bomb squad cop Chris Mankowski (Burke) and beautiful party girl Greta (Sabina Gadecki); super-eccentric long-haired millionaire Woody (Glover) and his loyal-sh driver/confidant Donelle (White), and finally ex-con/femme fatal Robin (Breanne Racano) and her bomb-making boyfriend Skip Gibbs (Slater). A suitably funky 1970s–style score and slices of smart dialog help push this film into the top echelon of its genre, and I highly recommend it!

Unpretentious and fast moving. Glover and White are great!

Some really good comedy here, but quite silly. They could have used Travolta or Clooney in the lead, but at least it didn't bore me to death like most comedies these days. Rather slickly put together for a low budget film. Not much of a plot.

Charles Matthau's take on Elmore Leonard's Freaky Deaky offers a delightful watch. While the original novel was deeply rooted in the 1980s ambiance, Matthau masterfully transports the setting to the vibrant 1970s, infusing the film with a rich tapestry of outfits, vehicles, settings, and a wonderfully bold kitschy aesthetic. The film boasts an impeccable cast, weaving a tale of three main groups, each chasing after the allure of quick riches. The narrative revolves around the sharp-witted former bomb squad officer, Chris Mankowski (Burke), paired with the vivacious Greta (Sabina Gadecki); the extravagantly whimsical millionaire, Woody (Glover), and his trusted driver and confidant, Donelle (White); and the sultry ex-convict Robin (Breanne Racano) alongside her explosive aficionado boyfriend, Skip Gibbs (Slater). Enhanced by a groovy 1970s-inspired soundtrack and sharp, clever dialogue, this film undoubtedly stands tall within its category. It's a must-watch!

Freaky Deaky follows the journey of a former bomb squad officer who finds himself immersed in an investigation encompassing themes of sexual assault, retribution, and explosive intrigue, all set against the backdrop of the year 1974. Initially, this film appears to be on the verge of chaos, but an unexpected twist soon immerses viewers into its absurd world. The credit for this immersion primarily goes to the creatively intriguing characters that inhabit this 1970s universe. As the narrative unfolds, each character seems to have their moment in the spotlight, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of this eccentric dark comedy. While the storyline may occasionally feel disoriented, it manages to hold together reasonably well, thanks to the eccentricity of its characters and the unusual circumstances they find themselves in.

Though far from flawless, Freaky Deaky delivers a largely enjoyable experience. While there are moments that may seem incongruous or contrived, overall, the film manages to strike a satisfying balance. If you're a fan of other Leonard films, you'll likely find this one equally appealing, as it maintains a sense of continuity within the Leonard cinematic universe. Furthermore, the peculiar dynamic between Michael Jai White and Crispin Glover's characters alone makes this movie worth the watch.