Who's Harry Crumb? (1989)

A different way of telling a story

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

John Candy is hilarious with the right script and director, sadly this film has neither. Avoid it if you enjoy John Candy, as it taints his memory. This film is obvious, broad, stupid and assumes its audience has the humour and intelligence of an 8 year old. If that's you, you may enjoy this movie, although really your hour and a half would be more productively spent learning the definition of the word 'turgid.'Avoid this at all costs. I've already spent too many words on this, but IMDb has a minimum word limit.Offal. Dross.Garbage.

I went into this movie expecting nothing but a decent flick at best. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. For starters, John Candy is one of my favorite actors of all time, he is hilarious, and every time I see him in any movie, I can't help but laugh. Candy plays the jester Harry Crumb, the final kin of a family of amazing detectives. Candy enters the role, and doesn't leave it once as the lead actor, he brings Crumb to life. Jeffrey Jones has a great outing as the Villain, Elliot Draisen. It wasn't an outstanding job by Jones, but good enough to keep the story rolling. Annie Potts makes a great Helen Downing. In conclusion, the storyline of the movie kept me interested and laughing throughout: 7/10. The acting was solid by many of the supporters, and headed by a great outing from Candy: 7.5/10, and the movie accomplished what it set out to do: 7/10. Overall: 7/10

However, I still thought this John Candy was rather funny. Sure it has sort of the same premise as the first "Fletch" movie mixed with a few new ingredients, but it works for me in a way. John Candy plays the title character, a person who comes from a long line of great detectives who is a bit of a bad, bumbling type detective. So yes, this film adds a bit of Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau into the mix as well. Well there is a kidnapping that has occurred as a wealthy man has one of his daughters taken in some sort of spa and for reasons that would be revealed later the private investigator that has been hired gets Crumb on board. The lead police detective on the case does not really care for this, but the father at this point is desperate. The father is married to a new wife and the step mom in this case is a bit of a flirt to put it lightly. Harry immediately has suspicions that it is her so while he is kind of doof, he is also somewhat intelligent as his suspicions of her are not totally without warrant. During his investigation he dresses up and pretends to be some rather oddball characters to try and find the missing girl. It is nice that the movie does not really feature a love interest for Crumb as that would have been a bit awkward, instead he kind of teams up with the younger daughter, but it is strictly a friends only type deal. So in the end I thought this film was a rather good and funny John Candy movie, probably one of my favorite of his where he is the main star and he does not have any real back up like having Dan Aykroyd in "The Great Outdoors" or Steve Martin in "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles".

The thing about this movie is that it is silly in a quality manner, it must be taken to account that it was made in the 80's. You really get the feel that it was made to entertain, not just to milk money. A great combination of acting, steady and not overdoing it, making it even funnier without awkwardness and well done, original "accident" scenes. It's a movie that makes you laugh out loud and have a great time. John Candy deserves the title legend, no one else could have done this part better. A great cast that keeps the spirit up. The fact that it's a forgotten gem makes it even more special... and that's why it's one of my all-time favorites.