A Fine Mess

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A Fine Mess

PG,

1986,

1h 28m,

Comedy

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25%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

35%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

25%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

35%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

While at the racetrack, actor Spence (Ted Danson) overhears two mobsters plotting to fix a race by injecting a horse with steroids. When Spence and his friend Dennis (Howie Mandel) try to bet on the juiced horse, mob boss Tony Pazzo (Paul Sorvino) orders his goons to silence the duo forever. To make matters worse, Spence starts having an affair with Pazzo's wife, Claudia (Maria Conchita Alonso), and the police begin investigating recent events at the racetrack.

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Nov 3, 2021

It spins out of control like it was written by a latter-day Feydeau with hysterics. Here and there one can see authentic Edwards touches. But only with field glasses. The naked eye discerns nothing much at all.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Jan 3, 2018

... relies on shtick that ranges from the familiar ("Three Stooges"-style horseplay) to the prehistoric (as at an auction where Danson and Mandel sniff their armptis and unwittingly enter the bidding).

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Walter Goodman

New York Times

May 21, 2003

The acting, to use a quiet word, is broad, with everybody giving big reactions at the smallest incitement, but not broad enough to cover the lack of content.

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Ryan Murphy

Miami Herald

Aug 17, 2021

1.5/4

Unless you're a constipated horse or a lover of truly tasteless cinema, A Fine Mess is one you don't want to wander into.

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Scott Weinberg

DVDTalk.com

Dec 22, 2005

1.5/5

Obviously inspired by the 1932 Laurel & Hardy short The Music Box, A Fine Mess represents director Blake Edwards at his most witless and desperate.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Nov 26, 2005

2.5/4

...a thoroughly ludicrous but strangely enjoyable piece of work.

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Blake Edwards

Director

Ted Danson

Spence Holden

Howie Mandel

Dennis Powell

Richard Mulligan

Wayne "Turnip" Parragella

Stuart Margolin

Maurice "Binky" Drundza

Maria Conchita Alonso

Claudia Pazzo

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Synopsis

While at the racetrack, actor Spence (Ted Danson) overhears two mobsters plotting to fix a race by injecting a horse with steroids. When Spence and his friend Dennis (Howie Mandel) try to bet on the juiced horse, mob boss Tony Pazzo (Paul Sorvino) orders his goons to silence the duo forever. To make matters worse, Spence starts having an affair with Pazzo's wife, Claudia (Maria Conchita Alonso), and the police begin investigating recent events at the racetrack.

Director: Blake Edwards
Producer: Tony Adams
Screenwriter: Blake Edwards
Production Co: Columbia Pictures, Blake Edwards, Delphi V Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 1986, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 18, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.0M
Runtime: 1h 28m

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