A filthy rich businessman bets a corporate rival that he can live on the streets of L.A. without the comforts of home or money, which proves to be tougher than he thought.A filthy rich businessman bets a corporate rival that he can live on the streets of L.A. without the comforts of home or money, which proves to be tougher than he thought.A filthy rich businessman bets a corporate rival that he can live on the streets of L.A. without the comforts of home or money, which proves to be tougher than he thought.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film's original title, "Life Sucks", was changed at the studio's insistence.
- GoofsIn the opening scene as Bolt reveals his building plans at a meeting, you can distinctly hear the laugh of Jefferey Tambor (Crasswell) twice but he is not shown.
- Quotes
J. Paul Getty: Shut up!
Goddard Bolt: Who are you?
J. Paul Getty: I'm J. Paul Getty. I was the richest man in the world. You don't see me ranting and raving about it, do you? No! I took my losses!
Goddard Bolt: What losses?
J. Paul Getty: During the crash, the clash, the smash!
Goddard Bolt: Listen to me. You are not J. Paul Getty. You are a pathetic, broken-minded, little bum. In your mind you think you're J. Paul Getty but you're not. Whilst I on the other hand, am Goddard Bolt, a genuine financial giant.
J. Paul Getty: So am I!
Goddard Bolt: [slaps Getty] You're not!
J. Paul Getty: [slaps Bolt] I am!
Goddard Bolt: [slaps Getty] You're not!
J. Paul Getty: [slaps Bolt] I am!
Goddard Bolt: [slaps Getty] You're not!
J. Paul Getty: [slaps Bolt] I am!
Goddard Bolt: Wait. Come with me.
J. Paul Getty: Where we going?
Goddard Bolt: Over here, let's talk.
[they move a little down the sidewalk]
Goddard Bolt: Now look, let's be reasonable.
J. Paul Getty: O.k.
Goddard Bolt: There's an enormous difference between us. Even though in your twisted mind, you think you're rich, you're really not. On the other hand, because of my serious understanding of the world of finance, I have amassed six point four billion dollars.
J. Paul Getty: And I've amassed six point five
[slaps are exchanged between them with "you didn't, I did" and a small fight happens]
Goddard Bolt: Look I don't want to hurt you.
J. Paul Getty: You don't?
Goddard Bolt: No. It's just that it's important to me that you understand. I guess it doesn't make any difference who's richer. Does it?
[Bolt starts to leave]
Goddard Bolt: Well forget about it.
J. Paul Getty: No. Oh, God thank you. Cause I'm really richer.
[Bolt then charges at Getty and the police break up the fight]
- Alternate versionsAlthough released with an uncut 12 certificate in UK cinemas, that rating did not exist for home video at the time, meaning VHS releases had to be upgraded to a 15 or cut for a PG. The latter course was chosen for Life Stinks, and one use of strong language was removed to allow the video to carry a PG rating. A home video 12 certificate had been introduced by the time of the DVD release, so it was an uncut 12 certificate.
But what if you were given a bet to live on the streets for a month without the luxuries you once had from a home, the entertainment sets, a bathroom, pictures on the wall, a computer, and everything you once treasure to see what it's like to be homeless? That is Goddard Bolt's lesson.
Mel Brooks (who directs) who stars as Bolt plays a rich man who has everything in the world until deciding to make a bet with a sissy rival (Jeffery Tambor) to see if he can live in the streets for thirty days without the luxuries; if Bolt succeeds, he can do what he wants with a future project of making more buildings. The bet's on where Bolt is thrown on the street with a bracelet on his leg to monitor his every move where he can't step off the sidewalk. He's given the nickname Pepto by a vagrant after it's written on his forehead where Bolt meets other characters including a woman by the name of Molly (Lesley Ann Warren) an ex-dancer who got divorce before losing her home, and her pals Sailor (Howard Morris) and Fumes (Teddy Wilson) who are already used to the streets. They're survivors. Bolt isn't. He's not used to reaching mutual agreements like he once did when being rich where it's fight or flight, kill or be killed.
While the love connection between Molly and Bolt wasn't necessary to plot, I found "Life Stinks" to be one of Mel Brooks' observant films where prior to being a comedy, it shows a tender side compared to his slapstick work such as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, or Spaceballs for the matter, to show what it's like having something valuable before losing it the next day or on the other hand making a stupid bet like all rich people do when they don't know what to do with their money. Maybe they should give it to the homeless instead of using it like Monopoly money.
Or maybe this film will inspire you to help others.
- departed07
- Aug 10, 2008
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Life Sucks
- Filming locations
- Los Angeles Soap Company - 500 block of Banning St, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA(As the party for the Crasswell City groundbreaking. This demolished sight was once The Los Angeles Soap Company. Partially demolished in 1987, then completely by year of filming.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $13,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,102,526
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,920,215
- Jul 28, 1991
- Gross worldwide
- $4,102,526
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1