Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996) User Reviews

Very Enjoyable, Quotable Cult Classic

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 27 December 2009]

A group of researchers for a pharmaceutical company release Gleemonex, a drug that brings people's happiest memory to the surface and cures depression. All is right in the world, at least until the drug is discovered to have some side effects down the road.

The Kids in the Hall had a great show, and it's no surprise they were able to make a great movie. With a very limited cast, they play dozens of parts and keep the humor rolling from the very beginning. If there's a group that is the spiritual successor to Monty Python, it is probably KITH.

Some of the best jokes are just throw-aways: a cop that dreams about sex with toast, a therapist who doesn't speak German, and a scientist who develops a drug that gives ex-girlfriends worms. One of the running jokes throughout the film is a man who is obviously gay but is unable to admit it. He is consistently funny, even after he comes out in the middle of a musical scene.

Some people allegedly thought that including Cancer Boy was insensitive and not funny in the slightest. I disagree. If it's okay to make fun of depression and homosexuals, I think cancer should be perfectly acceptable. I may not be easily offended, but I think this was fine.

A couple other things made this film great: a great soundtrack with bands like They Might Be Giants and The Odds. One of the earliest film appearances of Selma Blair. Seriously, the only way you would not find this funny is if you had a stick up your butt or you were a flipper baby.

Not what you'd expect.

[lambiepie-2 · 8/10 · 18 May 2003]

This film meant more to me than just 'a feature film featuring the comedy troop, The Kids in the Hall'. I am a Kids In The Hall fan. Their first feature length film theme was a good one. They took on one of the biggest things of 1996 and poked fun and holes at it: "Depression".

You have to remember, by 1996, depression drugs were being dispensed at an all time high. People were "sad" and wanted to be happy all the time so prescriptions were running wild for these depression drugs-- Prozac being the top one.

So the Kids went after this theme. Remember, this is The Kids in the Hall taking on this, not the book "Prozac Nation". This film may seem silly to some, or even awful for those who expected the same kind of Kids work as they had done in their series, but I did like it and I like the way they went about taking on a popular subject at the time most people didn't wish to admit how popular it really was.

Look back at "Brain Candy", well, may seem a tad bit dated now that in 2003 we should "know better". Do we? But again, I gotta hand it to the Kids in the Hall for being "sharp" enough to tackle this..and the WAY they tackled this. Think about it...is your health less important than corporate profits? ("We beat -- penicillin!!!!")And how about the summary at the end of the film by the taxi driver..."it's Okay to be sad...sometimes."

The Kids in the Hall were a very talented Comedy troupe of gentlemen and to some degree many expected something more comedic from them with their familiar characters and material for their first film fare, but again, I thought this was a more creative way to go, a more daring and brilliant way to go. Sometimes it strayed, but it all came back to the central theme. This is NOT for everyone's taste, but for those who want to venture into something different from a comedy troupe..maybe along the lines of the Monty Python's troupe fare of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" -- who's theme too was way out there for a comedy troupe. It's enjoyable, pick this one up, see it for what it is.

Hilarious Even WIthout Knowing The Show

[rphguy · 8/10 · 19 March 2005]

The TV show was funny as hell, although it was sometimes hit-and-miss ; but what sketch show isn't. This movie contains a well planned plot executed by a diverse but motley crew of characters. It makes you think that the BBC show League of Gentlemen isn't as original as you thought it was! Also, the impersonation of Lorne Michaels is spot-on, and makes you think the Dr Evil character from Austin Powers isn't as original as you thought either (as they are both spoofing Mr Michaels - who produced both SNL for Myers and Kids in the Hall).

Great fun... and try not to laugh out loud at the 'cancer boy' character.

You think Life of Brian is funny?

[zentoaster · 8 May 2003]

When I was growing up in the 80's, there were basically three camps of movies that were so incredibly funny that they were legendary among my peers and my generation. Those movies were the Monty Python films (Holy Grail, Life of Brian, Meaning of Life), the Mel Brooks classics (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein), and the Airplane! movies. Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy is an awesome example of how funny a movie can be, and I hope that some day more people will see it that way and that it will achieve a cult status as a legend of great comedy. It did terribly at the box office, but that was just some unfortunate oversight. Brain Candy features uncanny wit, rollicking absurdity, hilarious zaniness, immaculately understated social commentary, and some of the best comic performances ever filmed (my personal favorite performances are Mark as Don Roritor and Scott Thompson as the clueless closeted gay guy). I believe that the particular kind of comedy in Brain Candy is not easy to enjoy during the first viewing, which is why you should watch it a few times. When the Kids' masterpiece starts sinking in to your head, you'll start getting a whole lot of laugh-returns on your investment.

for Kids in the Hall fans

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 16 April 2016]

Roritor Pharmaceuticals is in financial trouble. It's losing money and budgets are getting cut. A group of scientists in the Depression Project has discovered a possible antidepressant. The drug is rushed into production before testing is complete and named Gleemonex. The problem is that the drug eventually puts the patients in a coma of their happiest moment.

The Kids in the Hall delivers a somewhat chaotic script. The movie is held together by the guys themselves doing small great bits with various characters. The story is easy enough. The laughs are intermittent but are big when they come. It's a lot of weird silly characters. For fans of the skit show, the off-center humor is familiar and comforting.

Funny, but a little over the top.

[bobsraft · 7/10 · 26 February 2001]

What can I say, everything the Kids in the Hall do is funny, and this movie is no exception. I don't know where all the advertising was when this was released in the theaters, but oh well. This movie pretty much has everything the TV show did, but just a little more over the top. Don't get me wrong, I like it that way, but characters like, say, Cancer Boy, border on just plain wrong (I still laughed, but felt a little guilty later).

*** out of 4 *'s

-rob

A gleaming review. Woo hoo.

[maxtuckett · 10/10 · 8 June 2001]

Okay. Where to begin?

It's phenomenal. If you've ever watched a single Kids in the Hall episode and caught yourself stifling a guffaw for you feared laughing at an orgasming, androgynous chicken-lady(?) might classify you as a lunatic, go see Brain Candy.

If you haven't experienced that, go see it anyways.

I personally think it's the some of the best modern comedic writing there is out there. The troupe collated their ability to create off-the-wall scenes with a Monty-Python-esque flair of weaving the same actors into decidedly varying roles, and thus spawned a seriously non-serious satire of man's eternal search for happiness.

I saw this movie first in the theater, and the odd things is, I didn't laugh once during the entire showing. The true hilarity of the flic hit me several hours later as a friend and I mused its elusive intricacies in a coffee shop. We were nearly falling out of our chairs with just the simple mentioning of many of the scenes.

I made a point of seeing it again, and have never regretted adding it to my 'all time favourite' list.

Go see it.

Booyah.

Could've been good

[Raleon · 7/10 · 7 June 2003]

Deep inside the heart of this film is a very cunning satire on the need for happiness and prozak type drugs. The need for things to be perfect is a lie-nothing's ever totally perfect, and if there was no more room for improvement what would be the purpose of doing anything? Somewhat ironically this is the problem with the movie- it's nowhere to being perfect. It's far below Kids in the Hall standards. And if it weren't for the problems they had to face in completing it, this would have turned out to be a real classic instead of just the small cult classic it became. If Dave Foley wasn't pulled to the states all the time, if the writing had the same competitiveness as they had in their show, and if they were together more often then it would have worked. However, they still seem to share and support each other in performance as usual. But there's just too much of one thing and not enough of the other. Sometimes it seems like Scott Thompson wrote the whole thing himself. Not that the parts with Wally aren't funny, but there's just too much of it. There's too much sexual humour that it spoils the joke, just like too much water can ruin the broth.

This is still a good film for any fan's collection. But if you want to delve into what the Kids were really like besides their show, Same Guys New Dresses and Tour of Duty are probably what you're looking for. They;ve always been better live anyway.

Love it!

[seth-287 · 8/10 · 19 November 2008]

When I first saw this movie I had never seen the TV series, so I didn't have any preconceived ideas about what this movie was going to be like. I belong to a group of people who question the pharmaceutical industry and the premise of the movie appealed to me. Every time I see this film I find new funny details. At my house we have shown this movie to our friends and they all seemed to love it. Each actor portrays several characters and they are very distinctive. I also think the message throughout is important and this movie is worth watching! It's too bad some people didn't like this movie. I think since the movie wasn't heavily publicized it didn't reach the potential but it's a cult favorite in my circle of friends. I'm surprised Scientology hasn't promoted this movie because it portrays psych meds in an unfavorable light.

Okay film, but since it's KITH it's a masterpiece

[490 · 7/10 · 20 March 2003]

I'm a huge KITH fan, and this movie lived up to my expectations 99%. The amazing thing about this movie is that although it features few of the lovable TV show characters, it was still awesome, and true to the KITH's style. I would have liked to see Buddy or Cabbage Head or the STEPS boys in it, but this movie was still great. I think you may have to warm up to the show before you can enjoy the movie, but it manages to be funny on its own.

I laughed out loud at many unforgettable moments: Wally's army flashbacks; the short appearance of the feuding white trash couple; and the German guy confessing to the psychiatrist (Subtitle: "The nipples of mother hope have run dry").

When I discovered Brain Candy on DVD, I snapped it up- and I recommend you do too, if you're a fan of KITH or Canadian comedy in general. I hope KITH live on...perhaps a third tour, another movie...and I would love to have the series in a DVD boxed set...hint, hint.

Eh...

[rand0mguy · 5/10 · 7 March 2002]

I was disappointed. I expected it to be a lot funnier. The show always has a wide variety of sketches and jokes, the movie did not. The show is always outrageous, the movie was not. It was actually almost tame compared to the tv show. Yeah, it was more explicit, but at no point during the movie did my jaw drop, much like it does when I watch the show. The scenes at the rock show were too long and wholly unfunny.

Good things: The scenes with the pharmy mogul and his yes man were very funny, I guess the kids poke fun at corporate life best (in the movie).

Bad: Usually the kids come up with great 'gay' humor. the gay jokes and the crossdressing were rather run of the mill and not spectacular. nothing new.

No scott thompson monologues.

overall: rent it if you're REALLY bored and/or a HUGE fan.

Finally on DVD!

[InzyWimzy · 10/10 · 31 July 2002]

KITH's full feature film!! It's our five favorite clearly insane guys from up north. What else can you ask for?

First, the story does NOT have your typical happy bears skipping, nutty bunnies frolicking kind of ending. The concept of pharmaceutical drugs being able to make life a better place is very thought provoking. Think about how we rely on drugs to treat colds, headaches...of course, we can discuss society's views on 'other' drugs, but that's a different monologue onto itself!!

Anyhoo, the origin of the drug's name is hilarious!! I have to admit, the Kids really spoof the corporate world well. Bruce and Mark really play their eccentric characters to a "T". RED SOCKS, repeat, RED SOCKS!! Although limited, Dave does a great job playing the straight man ("I don't understand German"). Kev is his manic awesome self and Scott's best role is probably that of closet case Wally.

I haven't even touched upon Grivo, the cabbie or any of the other characters in the film. Don't forget about Bellini! PLUS cameos too! KUDOS to the guys for not caving in and taking out C.B. (for those who haven't seen it, I don't want to spoil it) from the film due to pressure from the P.C. laden bigwig movie execs. I also enjoyed the moral (twisted though it is true) of the movie and there is a lot of subtle humor...just a tad darker than their TV series.

The last time i saw this was probably 1996. Watching it again on DVD makes me really appreciate (and miss) the guys' film. Sure, it may not have done great in the box office or achieved the big bucks. Usually, I tend to avoid mainstream blockbuster poo, so Brain Candy is definitely cult material. But then again, aren't Kids in the Hall?

*Sadly, the DVD is bare bones with the movie in widescreen format, chapter search and audio/subtitle. It's really great to just have this gem in my collection. Hey, I recently heard that KITH were discussing doing another feature film.

Hmmm....

Good, but not great. Should have been better.

[Overjoyed · 3/10 · 5 December 1999]

The Kids in the Hall tv show has to be the funniest sketch comedy show of all time. You'd think they could have made a funny movie, right? Well they didn't succeed in this viewer's opinion. Don't get me wrong, this film had some very funny moments (Cancer Boy, anyone). Although as a whole this movie just kind of drifts along. If you want to see a sketch comedy troupe do cinema justice, I have to recommend Life Of Brian, The Holy Grail and even Wayne's World over this comedy. The fact that there are no plans to make another Kids In the Hall movie should speak volumes about how this movie succeeded.

Unexpected delight

[Gareth_Hacking · 18 January 2004]

Having only ever seen one episode of 'Kids in the Hall' in my life and having only a vague idea about the group (Canadian Monty Python being the easy comparison), I think it's fair to say that I came the film as somewhat ignorant when it came to all things 'Kids'.

I have to say that I was able to enjoy the film for what it was, rather than have any expectations of what it could be. What interested me most of all was it's darkness, something a lot closer to League of Gentlemen territory rather than Monty Python.

On an alternate note does anyone else notice a similarity between Don Roritor and Doctor Evil?

Candy for the Brain.

[anaconda-40658 · 9/10 · 3 June 2015]

Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996): Dir: Kelly Makin / Cast: Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson, Bruce McCulloch, Dave Foley: Clever comedy about the unsatisfactory lives we lead. Title suggests either physical or mental garbage we intake to give the illusion of wholeness. A small orange pill called Gleemonex is invented to cure depression but side affects exist. An angry musician rages against society but after taking Gleemonex he makes a video called "Happiness Pie." A husband who masturbates to gay porn cannot face the fact that he is gay. He pops the Gleemonex and marches into the street singing, "I'm Gay!" Vulgarity is outlined with facts one may not acknowledge about themselves. Interesting concept with directing by Kelly Makin. David Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson plays multiple roles as the famous Kids in the Hall troop. McDonald plays scientist Chris Cooper who invents the drug after his father's suicide. He is met with fame as well as the desire to correct the side affects. McKinney plays villain Don Roritor as a somewhat Steve Martin impression. He forces the drug and will be defeated by it. Scott Thompson plays two hilarious roles as gay husband and senile lady. Dave Foley is also featured as an assistant whose greatest dream is urinating in his boss's coffee. Colorful visuals parallel artificial solutions. Score: 9 / 10

One last sweet dose of the "Kids In The Hall" for who knows how long?

[ToldYaSo · 8/10 · 16 July 1999]

The audiences and critics seem split on the solitary feature effort from the Canadian comedy troupe "Kids In The Hall". Even Siskel and Ebert had a split love/hate feeling, respectively, about the film. But I was and shall remain a major fan of the television show and welcomed "Brain Candy" with open arms.

When the show aired it's final episode in 1994, I felt a sense of sadness overcome me. But without a doubt in my mind, I knew these five talented guys would continue to entertain the masses in some other forum.

Not too long after the conclusion to the five year run, I was dining in Toronto with my wife and I had the occasion to meet Bruce McCulloch and chat briefly with him, much to my wife's embarrassment. For the record, I feel that I chose an entirely appropriate time to approach him, not interrupting a conversation with his friend or his meal. After receiving an expression of my appreciation of the show, he answered an inquiry about future plans by telling me of a feature film project involving the whole cast. It wasn't until a couple of years later that the film was finally released, and I had been basically anticipating it the whole time. That said, I was not let down whatsoever.

I had heard in interviews with various "Kids" that their intention wasn't to re-use some of the old characters from the show at all, but as the script evolved, their were a number of instances where they just fit perfectly in to the story line. Also in such interviews, it came out that the troupe wasn't exactly always getting along perfectly which was part of the reasons for the group's disbanding. It seemed from such comments that this was a final farewell, but some of the members stated that they were not adverse to the idea of another one in the future.

Aside from the familiar masterful antics from the five comics, there are numerous shots of Toronto locations that show in more ways than one their prominent sense of Canadian pride about the whole production. For more elements of Canadiana, Craig Northey of "Odds", a favourite band of the "Kids", provided the score for the film, and the whole band collaborated on a couple of songs featured in the film as an important part of the story line. The only thing missing from the film, but not from the great soundtrack, is the familiar theme from the show, "Having An Average Weekend" by Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet. The opening bars of the theme always signified simultaneously something great and something sad about TV for me: It meant "Kids In The Hall" was either beginning or ending.

Another aspect of integrity that the "Kids In The Hall" maintained was the refusal to cut certain scenes that would be considered by many to be just on the edge of completely tasteless humour, particularly one character named "Cancer Boy". On CBC, they had their restrictions with content and subject matter, but in many ways they enjoyed much more freedom than many other shows ever experienced. But on HBO broadcasts, I presume they had a bit more free reign, especially with the language used.

And so all the "Kids" have all left home to do their own thing in various arenas of North America. As far as I'm concerned they're a national treasure as much as "Monty Python" is to Britain. We'll always have syndication.

Sub-amateurish, non-talented and puerile

[Aristides-2 · 1/10 · 18 March 2007]

A 1 because there's no way I can rate this a minus 10. Though alive I was figuratively turning over in my grave every time someone likened this 'thing' to a Monty Python show or movie. The Python writers/performers were all brilliant and could skewer society and culture either with a broadsword or a stiletto. These dopes, less talented than Moe, Larry and Curly, can be summed up with one word and that word is "unsubtle". If there was a god of comedy, bolts of lighting would fry the people for uttering the heresy of comparing them to Python. Anything this amateurish and unfunny makes me either reach for my pistol, walk rapidly to the exit or push the off button on the remote in an excessively heavy manner. (Actually I disliked this movie so much I wanted to do all three things simultaneously.) 'Kids' is the absolute bottom of the comedic barrel and could be the worst comedy in motion picture history (maybe there is a god after all because some Force has intervened and determined that they will never make another movie and so thank you Jesus, thank you Muhammed, thank you Vishnu, thank you Buddha!).

Made me want to watch it over and over and over and over

[limeliteproductions · 10/10 · 2 May 2003]

I think that this is one of the "Kids" best works. Every one of them did great. You gotta remember when watching this film, it is a situation comedy. Have pacience with it and you just might get some of the jokes!



Kids in the Hall... Best thing to come out of Canada since...... hockey! and I guess, the only things.

Awful, nothing like the great TV show.

[Brent-22 · 1/10 · 6 January 1999]

I thought this movie was awful! One of the worst I have ever seen. I was a huge fan of the TV show and this stunk in comparison. A real disappointment!

watch as prescribed

[belair82g · 18 October 2009]

"i realized that i would never be happy and i am much happier because of it". I remember when I first watched the film many years ago (on VHS) I didn't think much of it and years later I gave it another go because I am a Kids in the Hall fan. It turns out there are many who prefer the movie who have given it a second or more viewings. The movie is silly (which is one thing I love) and also quite brilliant. I have to say it has earned the title of being a cult classic and is up there with the Monty Python movies. Much of the dialogue itself is funny and the characters just add so much humour to the screen. The only real problem I have with the movie is the DVD. The DVD lacks completely of special features (and is now out of print). Where is the trailer? (which is totally worth seeing over and over again). Where are the deleted scenes? (There happens to be several deleted scenes). What about the alternate ending (Which is worth watching). Maybe the movie could have been funnier if some of the removed scenes had made it's way into the movie. But still the movie is fine the way it is but again the DVD should feature the removed content in order to appreciate this movie even more. I've seen the work print of the movie and of course the movie itself and yet the trailer has moments that is in neither. What is that all about? Anyway I think the Kids have done a great job here and this movie is perfect for a good laugh but it makes me sad and depressed to see all the missing content from the DVD. Then again watching this movie is a great cure for depression.

Cleverly Canadian

[Sundance26 · 9/10 · 17 September 2002]

First of all, the Kids in the Hall should rule the world. Honestly, they should. (Along with Will Ferrell.) If you are a fan, you don't even have an option, seeing it is a must. And who else but a fan would recognize Sid and Sharisse, and the Bigot Cabbie? This is a film only truly appriciated if you love little Bruce, and have a healthy respect for Mark's amazing command of fake accents. And if you can't stop staring at Kevin's hair, because it never ceases to amaze.

Besides... they're Canadian. Who doesn't like Canadians?

The short version: if you watch this, you will laugh. If you're a fan of KITH, you will laugh even harder. I can't get "Happiness Pie" out of my head, and you won't be able to either, because it's an ingenious song, (and no, I'm not high.)

Bruce is short and moody. We all love Bruce. Mark can make funny faces. We all love Mark. Kevin does that little high-pitched squealing thing. We all love Kevin. Dave is obviously addicted to caffiene and other mood-altering chemicals. We all love Dave. And Scott is very, very gay. So, of course, we love Scott.

It all just works out.

SO, SEE IT! It will feel like it's 72 degrees in your head, all day long.

Brilliant Cutting Edge Comedy

[gilrosenberg · 10/10 · 22 February 2015]

Sadly comedians find themselves in a difficult climate these days as they have to watch what they say for fear of invoking the wrath of the general public. This brilliant satirical comedy is so on target; it is a must see. Sure the gay scenes, as well as the cancer boy clip will bother people, but the movie is so prescient for those times where SSRI's were marketed and advertised as life changing & comfortably numbing solution for life. In the late 80's and 90's so called anti- depressants were the cure all solve all drugs. Now since the early 2000's the same tactics are used to sell anti-psychotics and re-purpose them as the cure all for what ills society.

Lets face it if Sam Kinoson, Joan Rivers, Jerry Lewis, Lenny Bruce, Gilbert Gotfried, Dice Clay and Marty Allen were starting out in their careers they would not have a chance. For example Jerry Lewis and Marty Allen were really taking on the personas of retarded persons (now called developmentally challenged) which would be considered taboo these days. Just watch how Roger Ebert overreacted in his 1996 review-now on Youtube. Many of the themes in this movie and the work of Kids in the Hall can be seen in Arrested Development. How dare someone be offensive to anyone!

*Sigh*

[King Yuriy · 5/10 · 11 May 2000]

*sigh* Some things that are great concepts on television just don't transfer to the big screen. Especially the kind of great absurdist comedy like Kids in the Candy. This is my favorite TV show and the movie is essentially one sketch blown up to two hours. And directing just doesn't work as a movie, it would have been funnier just to have four episodes at random stuck together, with some thin link. Only a 5.

The Kids are really good.

[Funky A · 9/10 · 29 January 2001]

If you love the Kids in the Hall, you will love Brain Candy, but if you hate them, you will hate this. I am a big fan of the group and this is just like a very good episode that lasts 89 minutes with a bigger budget and more freedom than on television. Some characters like the hilarious Cancer Boy could never have been shown on TV. All the members of the group are there and they are as good as usual. I just don't get people who don't laugh at Kevin's(my favorite member) face when he plays the suicidal father of Chris or Mark as the "spiritual" cab driver. And just who could resist Scott as a man who refuses to accept the fact that he is gay. And Bruce has some of the best roles, such as the rock star and Cancer Boy. David Foley seems to have gotten the weakest characters, but he is still funny. His best moments are in episodes of the show, not in this. The absurd humor of the show is there, but it is a bit darker. And sure, the directing is not very subtle, but it gives that special Kids in the Hall feel that this movie had to have. And for those who have never seen material by The Kids in the Hall, I strongly suggest that you see this or episodes of their TV show, since they are just hilarious and you may very well get addicted to their unique kind of humor. Personally, I love them, and this movie is very funny in my humble opinion.

87%

a HUGE disappointment

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 29 March 2006]

I was a fan of THE KIDS IN THE HALL. Yeah, sometimes the jokes went a little flat, but so often it was gosh darn funny and always was quick to take a risk or poke fun at nearly anything. Unfortunately, once the series ended, they decided to make a farewell film. In hindsight, they should have just left well-enough alone. Boy, was I disappointed. So often, when TV shows go to the big screen, the basic chemistry and formula that made them great is adulterated--this is truly the case with this film. Instead of being weird and funny, it was only slightly weird and not the least bit funny or entertaining. I would have been much happier if they had just strung together three episodes as the movie, instead.