Sidney Poitier directed--without much distinction, sorry to say--this 1980 comedy teaming Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor as New York knuckleheads who try their luck in California and are accused of robbing a bank. Most of the laughs concern their survival strategies in prison (at one point, Wilder decides to "reach out and talk" to some hulking murderer) and their plans to escape. Both performers are so brilliant in any situation that they give this film plenty of funny moments (one or two of which became instantly classic), but this is not exactly a film for the ages. <I>--Tom Keogh</I>
Viewer Reviews Stir Crazy is one of my all time favorites. It may have a lot to do with being an absolute fan of Richard Pryor when I was young, but of all his movies this one had a great plot and perfectly timed humor. I think Eddie Murphy's LIFE was also inspired by this movie. Still to this day I wonder what life would have been like once they escape. I mean trouble was their shadow. Looking back on it now, it's great to see all the young faces and marvel on just how time flies. If you never saw this movie, you just don't know what you're missing.