IMDb RATING
6.9/10
9.7K
YOUR RATING
A pharmaceutical scientist creates a pill that makes people remember their happiest memory, and although it's successful, it has unfortunate side effects.A pharmaceutical scientist creates a pill that makes people remember their happiest memory, and although it's successful, it has unfortunate side effects.A pharmaceutical scientist creates a pill that makes people remember their happiest memory, and although it's successful, it has unfortunate side effects.
- Awards
- 5 nominations total
Erica Fairfield
- Wally's Daughter
- (as Erica Lancaster)
Jackie Harris Greenberg
- Natalie
- (as Jackie Harris)
Featured reviews
As a huge fan of the Kids, I was awaiting with much anticipation their first feature film. Unfortunately, it might also turn out to be their last one as well. Brain Candy has a strong idea for the plot line, but it doesn't seem like they knew how to carry it out for two hours. I was disappointed with the film because I think that they probably could have made something much smarter and funnier if they had had the right ideas and the right people letting them do. Dave Foley is practically non-existent in the movie, which was a downside for me. There are some funny moments, but watching an episode of 'Kids in the Hall' will indubitably make you laugh more. I hope however, that someday they get back together and perform again because this comedy troupe is like no other. See the movie if you are a KiTH fan, there are some good moments. If you are not a KiTH fan, don't judge the guys on this movie. Believe me, there usually a lot worse. In a good way.
Having only ever seen one episode of 'Kids in the Hall' in my life and having only a vague idea about the group (Canadian Monty Python being the easy comparison), I think it's fair to say that I came the film as somewhat ignorant when it came to all things 'Kids'.
I have to say that I was able to enjoy the film for what it was, rather than have any expectations of what it could be. What interested me most of all was it's darkness, something a lot closer to League of Gentlemen territory rather than Monty Python.
On an alternate note does anyone else notice a similarity between Don Roritor and Doctor Evil?
I have to say that I was able to enjoy the film for what it was, rather than have any expectations of what it could be. What interested me most of all was it's darkness, something a lot closer to League of Gentlemen territory rather than Monty Python.
On an alternate note does anyone else notice a similarity between Don Roritor and Doctor Evil?
Certainly one of the few excellent films that I have seen David Foley in. I saw this, quite by chance, on television and I was amazed that I had not even heard of a film this good. It is several years since I saw it, and 8 since it was made, but this is truly worth seeing.
The plot is fairly run-of-the-mill comedic insanity, but the characters are what truly makes this so fun. The writing is very very good and I think complaints of bad language are bizarre in the context of this movie, because if you don't like the language how are you going to enjoy the sentiment...One character's key fantasy is being "sent in" to bugger enemy soldiers on maneouvres.
My favourite scene is the brainstorming session with the Ultra-Cool A**hole Advertising Executive who comes up with their slogan.
The plot is fairly run-of-the-mill comedic insanity, but the characters are what truly makes this so fun. The writing is very very good and I think complaints of bad language are bizarre in the context of this movie, because if you don't like the language how are you going to enjoy the sentiment...One character's key fantasy is being "sent in" to bugger enemy soldiers on maneouvres.
My favourite scene is the brainstorming session with the Ultra-Cool A**hole Advertising Executive who comes up with their slogan.
A group of researchers for a pharmaceutical company release Gleemonex, a drug that brings people's happiest memory to the surface and cures depression. All is right in the world, at least until the drug is discovered to have some side effects down the road.
The Kids in the Hall had a great show, and it's no surprise they were able to make a great movie. With a very limited cast, they play dozens of parts and keep the humor rolling from the very beginning. If there's a group that is the spiritual successor to Monty Python, it is probably KITH.
Some of the best jokes are just throw-aways: a cop that dreams about sex with toast, a therapist who doesn't speak German, and a scientist who develops a drug that gives ex-girlfriends worms. One of the running jokes throughout the film is a man who is obviously gay but is unable to admit it. He is consistently funny, even after he comes out in the middle of a musical scene.
Some people allegedly thought that including Cancer Boy was insensitive and not funny in the slightest. I disagree. If it's okay to make fun of depression and homosexuals, I think cancer should be perfectly acceptable. I may not be easily offended, but I think this was fine.
A couple other things made this film great: a great soundtrack with bands like They Might Be Giants and The Odds. One of the earliest film appearances of Selma Blair. Seriously, the only way you would not find this funny is if you had a stick up your butt or you were a flipper baby.
The Kids in the Hall had a great show, and it's no surprise they were able to make a great movie. With a very limited cast, they play dozens of parts and keep the humor rolling from the very beginning. If there's a group that is the spiritual successor to Monty Python, it is probably KITH.
Some of the best jokes are just throw-aways: a cop that dreams about sex with toast, a therapist who doesn't speak German, and a scientist who develops a drug that gives ex-girlfriends worms. One of the running jokes throughout the film is a man who is obviously gay but is unable to admit it. He is consistently funny, even after he comes out in the middle of a musical scene.
Some people allegedly thought that including Cancer Boy was insensitive and not funny in the slightest. I disagree. If it's okay to make fun of depression and homosexuals, I think cancer should be perfectly acceptable. I may not be easily offended, but I think this was fine.
A couple other things made this film great: a great soundtrack with bands like They Might Be Giants and The Odds. One of the earliest film appearances of Selma Blair. Seriously, the only way you would not find this funny is if you had a stick up your butt or you were a flipper baby.
The TV show was funny as hell, although it was sometimes hit-and-miss ; but what sketch show isn't. This movie contains a well planned plot executed by a diverse but motley crew of characters. It makes you think that the BBC show League of Gentlemen isn't as original as you thought it was! Also, the impersonation of Lorne Michaels is spot-on, and makes you think the Dr Evil character from Austin Powers isn't as original as you thought either (as they are both spoofing Mr Michaels - who produced both SNL for Myers and Kids in the Hall).
Great fun... and try not to laugh out loud at the 'cancer boy' character.
Great fun... and try not to laugh out loud at the 'cancer boy' character.
Did you know
- TriviaThe Cancer Boy character was a rather contentious part of the movie. A Paramount executive, who had a loved one suffering from cancer, was so offended by Cancer Boy when a rough cut was shown they demanded the character be removed from the film, but the Kids adamantly refused. The executive would get revenge by making sure the film had a limited theatrical release with little advertisements. Looking back, the Kids would admit that Cancer Boy ended up killing the film's chances financially, with Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald feeling they should have just relented and cut the scene so the movie would have gotten a wider release while Scott Thompson, Bruce McCulloch and Mark McKinney do not regret it artistically, feeling that Cancer Boy is a biting satire of celebrities who exploit sick children for publicity.
- GoofsWhen the psychiatrist writes a prescription for Gleemonex for the repressed gay character, we see a large microphone hanging from the patient's neck during an over-the-shoulder shot as he's sitting up on the couch.
- Quotes
Raymond Hurdicure: Sorry we're a few hours late, there, Ma, but you know how the kids... uh... hate old people.
- Crazy creditsAfter the credits, Mother Hurdicure is distressed over her grandson flying away with the balloons she gave him, and is queried by the boy's mother as to his whereabouts.
- Alternate versionsThe Kids in the Hall originally filmed a different ending to the film where Dr. Chris Cooper (played by 'Kevin McDonald') fell into a coma and dreamed the ending. Apparently this included "an elaborate parade, complete with Coma Queens, candy-coloured floats, and a grinning mob", but unfortunately it scored poorly with test audiences. Paramount and the Kids re-evaluated the ending and agreed it lacked dramatic-weight and was "too scattered". They re-shot the ending in January.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Scott Thompson/Lee Roy Parnell (1996)
- SoundtracksSome Days It's Dark
by Craig Northey, Steven Drake & Bruce McCulloch
performed by Death Lurks
Death Lurks is Bruce McCulloch & Odds
produced by Nigel the Cat
Bruce McCulloch performs courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
Odds perform courtesy of Warner Music Canada Ltd.
- How long is Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,654,308
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $770,280
- Apr 14, 1996
- Gross worldwide
- $2,654,308
- Runtime
- 1h 29m(89 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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