Burt Reynolds directed and stars in this dark comedy, which suffers from diminishing returns the longer it goes on. He plays a fellow who discovers that he has a terminal illness and wants to spare himself and everyone he knows the seemingly unavoidable end of a painful malady. So he decides to kill himself. But he proves surprisingly inept at it and after several tries winds up in a mental hospital, where he meets a cheerfully homicidal inmate (Dom DeLuise). The suicide stuff was handled more imaginatively and with greater flair in <i>Harold and Maude</i>; the film has very few real jokes and only comes to life twice: when Burt tries to confess to an easily impressed young priest (Robby Benson) and when the lunatic DeLuise is onscreen. <I>--Marshall Fine</I>
Viewer Reviews I remember my parent's taking my brother, sister, and I as kids to see this movie. (A LONG time ago) I found it hilarious as a child, and watched it several times as an adolescent on cable. I ordered it because I remember Dom DeLuise being SO GREAT as Sonny's best INSANE friend trying to help him kill himself. Throughout the years my family has kept phrases from this movie alive. Such as "Your right Sonny, it's not high enough!" Or we mimic Burt at the end of the movie bargaining with God. The closer he gets to shore the more he rescinds or minimizes his promises to Him. Without Dom, this movie would have been mediocre to BAD. But with him in it, I would still give it 5 stars. When he is introducing himself to Sonny (who thinks he's a doctor) and stands up propping his leg in the chair and while flashing Sonny with a great view of his 'privates' he proudly announces he is a patient,is a classic moment. Great movie!!!
