MovieChat Forums > Funny Man (1994) Discussion > Some reviewers just don't get it

Some reviewers just don't get it


Hello, I am one of those users that reviewed this film and reading others slating this film for things that are inaccurate or wholly untrue has prompted me to post this.

One imbicile wrote " The cockney accents employed by much of the cast leaves many of their lines unintelligible for all but native Brits.".

THERE ARE NO COCKNEY ACCENTS ANYWHERE IN THIS FILM, clearly this imbicile wouldn't know a cockney accent from a Jamaican accent. My suggestion to him is "STICK WITH YOUR RAMBO FILMS".

Other reviewers have said that this is some sort of Nightmare on Elm Street rip off.

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!! ... In Britain we have a culture rich and replete with lore, legend, myth and tradition that does not originate in SHALLOWOOD (Hollywood), we have our own influences and the main influence for this film is the Thomas Skelton (Tom Fool) legend that tells of a psychotic jester in the 16th century that thought it very funny to send travellers to their deaths in the marches and quicksands surrounding the castle where he lived.

The supernatural link is made through the continuance of the legend of Tom Fools ghost still haunting Muncaster Castle and still being as mischievous as ever.

WE DO NOT NEED TO RIP OFF SHALLOWOOD (Hollywood) for inspiration.

Much of the film is made with a British audience in mind (By British we can exclude London and those South of Watford Gap), many of the gags are ones that only Brits (Not Londoners or Politically correctness freaks) would get unless anybody else knows who Jimmy Saville or Mike Read are they are unlikely to find the parodies even slightly amuzing.

Judging by some of the reviews of this film you would be forgiven for thinking that this was the worst film ever made, WRONG "The evil beneath Loch Ness" is the worst film that was ever made, and that was made by SHALLOWOOD.

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Good thing you repeatedly explained what "Shallowood" meant or your biting wit would have sailed right past us.

Regardless of how it plays to a British audience...to an American audience, this is a very, very bad movie.

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Its not a bad movie americans dont like this movie for 3 reasons.

1. they are told what is good and what is not take freinds for example it was pure crap and yet it made billions of dallers for useing the same gags over and over.

2. the main character is the bad guy whitch leads on to point 3

3. ::DONT READ THIS ONE IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE MOVIE FOR I WILL BE TELLING WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE FILM::



















The funnyman wins. Yes thats right a spwan of hell wins the day he kills all bar one of the victims.The one who you saw at the start playing poker. who is then at the end tied and gagged into a chair coverd in blood and then you see the funnyman talk to him then the movie ends.


In american culture (i know i cant spell and i am sorry) it is always belived that good always wins yes there are movies out there and some good ones at that (silent hill) that evil dose win but americans like to see the good guy win at the end and reviews for such movies whare evil wins are rated a little less than those whare good prevails. The jokes are meant for a british audiance and the film itself was done on a verry low budget as to some of the people out there donates some of there cash to make it. I loved this film it was a laugh a second and i would want other people to see it and before you say I AINT ONE OH THE PRODUCERS OF THE MOVIE. So to all you people who want to see it sit back and enjoy a movie that will keep you on your toes (well it did for me the first time i watched it). Americans of the cult clasic horror will love this more than that of a avrage american i dont know but to all americans who havent seen it dont go by the review see it yourself and make your own mind up. And i am happy christopher lee was in the film it was a good move on his part.

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I also believe friends stole Mr. Beans head in the turkey joke.

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I'm american and I personally think this film is brilliant, but then again I was pratically raised on British entertainment.

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Thank God you posted and rubbished the generalisations above. It annoys me when people paint broad brush strokes, all they do is rob their argument of any impact. There are good points above but they are spoiled by the "Shallowood" (does that mean nothing from Hollywood is good? Are you serious?) and "Americans don't get it" attitude (no some, not all, don't). At the end of the day, I'm sure there are a good few British people that don't get it either.

As for the film, its alright. Best film on Zone Horror tonight anyway.


We can't stop here... This is Bat Country!

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aelthric is completely contradicting himself he is basically putting people down for being narrow minded yet being catergorically narrow minded himself - and what is this bull about Londoners not being british is that to say films like scum, quadrophenia, the krays, snatch, lock stock, long good friday, the lady killers (original), alfie, four weddings which are all based in london are not british films - please - oh and mike reid is from Hackney east london - did you really think that through? there where some good points about the film and tom fool etc and even about our film history and i agree those who don't understand it shouldn't have posted about it- but why generalise and get personal. hollywood has and will continue to pump out movies for the masses some will be fantastic i recently saw departed and some will be apalling beyond words - pearl harbour (gets my vote as worst film ever) - but its peoples choice to watch what they want, although i was dragged to the latter by an ex. We should definately embrace our culture and we make some of the best film around but to put down hollywood when it is responsible for some fantastic film is just a joke.

work is the curse of the drinking classes

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the fact is there is no point arguing about whether its good or bad...americans like it or english.

everyone is entitled to their opinion and if you think you dont understand it properly, no need to put the film down and piss everyone else off!

im english<<<<<<<just for the record

i only saw some of this film the other night, and i laughed my ass off.

who was that girl at the start dressed as selma from scooby doo?

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I agree.

I'm an american I just happend upon this film by going to a glorifed flee market.

I saw that Christopher Lee was in it and from what I read on the back and saw of the make-up on the front

I was sold.

I watched it that night very night and while there were admittedly some parts in there where I could not understand The Funny Man (his last two lines of the film, when he's smokeing a cig) I still genuenly enjoyed the film.

I have recommended it to quite a number of friends of mine.

The one who I've shown this movie to have enjoyed it quite a bit and one of them useally hates horror movies.

I really only wanted to throw my own two cents in on this subject.

I also wanted to know if there is someone out there who knows what his lat two lines are in the script.

He takes a drag of his cig and then says something...takes another then says something else. I can't for the life of me make out what he says and I have the subversive edition of the film.

Any help?
Get It? Got It? Good!

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It shouldn't matter if it's British or American or whatever, it's still an entertaining film.

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Well I'm English and I thought this was one of the worst films I've ever seen.

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I have to agree. I'm a fan of low-budget British horror but this was complete toss. Big disappointment.

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"They don't write them like that any more..." (referring to the song playing on the soundtrack) "Still, turned out nice again." (referring to the weather and/or outcome of the movie).

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i am english and i thot this film was a load of rubbish.no way should it be compared to anything done by monty python

Aslan is on the move


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the last two lines are:

"Ahh.. They just don't write them like that anymore." (referring to the song)

"Still... it turned out nice again." (referring to the weather and/or the outcome of the film)

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nice job.. although, technically, not true..

you forget the repeat chantings of 'it's funny' as max dies..

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'eh.. dark out here, itn't it?' - funnyman

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Similarly, I'm Australian and loved it...

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Okay, I have to throw in my two cents because I bought the DVD based on all of the glowing recommendations here on imdb. I'm an American, but I love the British sense of humor. However, although I feel like I "got it," I didn't find this one very "funny." At times, it actually borders on tedious in my book.

Although the initial commenters here want to stereotype all Americans, I certainly don't fall into their categorization. If the word "cult" can be thrown at it, I'm usually in -- I adore warped non-Hollywood movies where the villain comes out on top. As a matter of fact, I loved the 30 minute FUNNY MAN short (available on the DVD here in the USA) that led to the film. But the short version worked -- the film itself felt like it was padded with way too much inane nonsense.

It wasn't all bad, it got off to a good start, there were a few laugh-out-loud moments and a lot of truly dazzling visuals... but as a whole, I was disappointed with it. And I really don't think my disappointment has anything to do with being American or not getting it. I'm glad you love it so much (and will defend it to the death!), but I'll stick to the short-film version.

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Great Film, And i love it more because so many hate it!!!

Individuality conquers!

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Now,that is the way to do it!

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Well, I'm American and I loved this film. I just watched it two days ago and it is now easily one of my all-time favorites.

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Dood I'm an American chick and I thought this film was hysterical. Just loved it.It's not a Britsh/American thing. You just need a certain amount of brain power (and we're not talking a huge amount) to get how funny this movie really is.

And if you want to be SCARED...go rent the director's new film, Wishbaby. It's excellent and REALLY creepy.

Stop yer whining and try to enjoy this flick for what it is--weird and awesome.

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I'm English and a Christopher Lee fan, and I HATED it. It does not appeal to my sense of humour AT ALL, even though it is full of moments which I understand others may find hilarious. I did snigger at the Jimmy Savile bit, but that's IT... Overall, it's blinding obvious that Lee did this purely for the money. It was on TV in the UK tonight. Tragically, I watched it. Christopher Lee, you should be ashamed of yourself.

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Christopher Lee did NOT do it for the money! He did it because they told him he could sing on the soundtrack.



"All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds."

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And because he thought the script was good. He was wrong!

If they move, kill em!

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I saw this at the cinema because Jonathan Ross said it was good.
Well he's a wanker and he owes me £10.
This film was truly awful and unfunny.
Anyone who likes this needs their head examined for cotton wool.
It was like a horror version of The Mask I suppose.

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