Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Delirious Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 6, 2016

A towering talent and beloved personality, John Candy was a special screen presence. An expert with timing and temper, Candy contributed to some of the finest comedic works during his media reign, with projects such as “SCTV,” “Stripes,” “Uncle Buck,” and “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” just a few of his achievements. He was the best, but there’s a painful truth to Candy’s legacy: he wasn’t always a good judge of quality when picking jobs. He never gave a bad performance, but he toplined more than a few stinkers, with gigs like “Armed and Dangerous,” “Summer Rental,” and “Wagons East” helping to temper enthusiasm for Candy’s filmography. 1991’s “Delirious” is one of those lesser Candy offerings, though it never lacks in sheer velocity. Director Tom Mankiewicz certainly has a vision for a romp through soap opera clichés, but there’s very little successful humor in the feature, which usually doesn’t have the writing to back up the satire. It’s broad work, never boring, but “Delirious” periodically comes across winded and unprepared, stranding Candy in the middle of a farce that never catches fire, dependent on its star to handle much of the silly business.

Jack Gable (John Candy) is the top creative force behind the daytime soap opera, “Beyond Our Dreams.” Having just completed the program’s new show bible, Jack is ready to get back to work, protecting his vision for the series while preserving his crush on its star, Laura (Emma Samms). Eager to impress the manipulative actress, Jack hastily agrees to take her on a trip to Vermont, only to discover her secret relationship with co-star Dennis (David Rache) is still in play. Accidentally smacking himself in the face with trunk lid, Jack is knocked out, only to awaken inside his own creation, surrounded by characters from “Beyond Our Dreams.” After a bout of panic, Jack begins to grasp his unique power, armed with a magical typewriter that allows him to control the local narrative. Assigning himself the hero role, Jack sets out to woo “Rachel Hedison” (Samms), but ends up bonding with Janet (Mariel Hemingway), a newcomer tied to a plot of pharmaceutical corruption and intrigue that involves the Hedison family, including patriarch Carter (Raymond Burr, in his final big screen role).

One of the great industry raconteurs, the true architect of 1978’s “Superman,” and deserving of a high-five for his spirited handling of the 1987 “Dragnet” update (a hilarious, truly underrated movie), Mankeiwicz isn’t firing on all cylinders with “Delirious,” though it’s easy to see why the helmer was attracted to the material in the first place. Taking on the soap opera world, with its high-maintenance stars and painful melodrama, Mankiewicz, clearly sympathizes with Jack and his battle to retain creative control over the show, fighting rewrites and showrunners (Jerry Orbach and Renee Taylor) to keep his fingerprints on the material. It’s a brief beat in the picture, but one that motivates the story, positing Jack as a man who relishes the opportunity to create his own world with “Beyond Our Dreams,” using his typewriter to shape a saga that plays to his interests, including a chance to cozy up to Laura, who arrives in the form of femme fatale Rachael.

“Delirious” has the right idea for a madcap viewing experience, but Mankiewicz’s execution isn’t nearly as a sharp as it needs to be, with genuine laughs few and far between as Jack’s manipulations snowball into real trouble. The screenplay is credited to Lawrence J. Cohen and Fred Freeman, and the partners aren’t entirely interested in selling the humor of the moment. The pair enjoys the cat’s cradle construction of the story, which toys with fantasy and chicanery involving the secretive pharmaceutical formula, building a community of oddballs and enemies for Jack to manage with his typewriter. What should be an uproarious odyssey into the cartoonish machinations of power-hungry families, an eye-patch-wearing weirdo, lustful ladies, and Jack’s own overblown concept of gallantry (bumbling attempts to look suave on horseback) is left airless by flat direction and writing that’s more proud of plotting than jokes. “Delirious” is working with drained batteries, often stranding Candy with nothing to work with. While his professional enthusiasm is always a treat to see, range is limited to wide-eyed reactions to all the absurdity Jack encounters during his stay. There should be more for him to do here, though he does enjoy semi-compelling chemistry with Hemingway, who’s hell-bent on proving her comedic skill with her elastic performance.

Delirious Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Age is apparent while watching the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation, which doesn't offer "Delirious" fans a fully refreshed viewing event. Colors are a tad muted, but the explosive costuming and set design of the feature pushes back with aggressive primaries, keeping some of the intended punch. Detail isn't strong, battling inherently gauzy cinematography and an older master, but close-ups keep some definition, and more outrageous fabrics remain textured. Delineation is serviceable, but a few evening encounters missing stronger blacks. Source is in comfortable shape, with some speckling detected.

Delirious Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Scoring is a surprising highlight of the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix, which offers true presence for the anarchic music, keeping instrumentation alert and supportive, providing the energy the film needs. The few soundtrack selections are also satisfactory, adding a pop zip to the listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are steady, preserving performance speed and extremity without slipping into distortion, and group activity is communicated cleanly. Atmospherics are lively, capturing TV studio bustle and Ashford Falls interactions. The track is a touch on the quiet side, requiring a slight volume boost to enjoy, but no hiss is detected.

Delirious Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:22, HD) is included.

Delirious Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Delirious" fights hard to be liked, offering an animated score from Cliff Eidelman that's bigger than anything onscreen, wildly swinging from comedy to romantic sensitivities, doing what it can to create the illusion of entertainment as the picture slowly runs out of ideas. There's plenty of slapstick, car chases, and broad performances to keep up the pace, and the production deserves credit for securing Prince's titular tune for the main titles, adding a welcome bit of pop punch to launch the effort on the right foot. The movie isn't a trainwreck, but it doesn't come near the manic pitch of mischief Mankiewicz is after, struggling to deal with its moving parts as it mangles broad humor and slips out of control. It appears as though Mankiewicz wanted to conduct his own triumphant slapstick symphony with "Delirious." He just brought the wrong sheet music to share with his cast.