The Dream Team (1989)

Synopsis: Harmless lunatics quickly regain their sanity when they’re suddenly given a taste of the outside world. Oh wait...that’s the synopsis for Crazy People. Um, ok... loveable misfits dodge Big Apple cops during madcap adventure. Oh, sorry – that’s the synopsis for Quick Change. 

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “A chronic liar (Michael Keaton) finds himself on the loose in New York City with his fellow group therapy patients: Henry (Christopher Lloyd), a clean freak, Jack (Peter Boyle), a former advertising executive with a Christ complex and Albert (Stephen Furst), a near catatonic couch potato.” 

What Did I Learn?: It’s not a good idea to walk into a church and proclaim yourself to be Jesus Christ. Taking off your clothes while proclaiming your divinity is an even bigger no-no. 

You Might Like This Movie If: You really, really want to hear a certain song... at least three or four times! [Seriously, it's a delightful blast-from-the-past, but once would have been sufficient].

 

Really?: The Dream Team is a screwball comedy that isn’t meant to be taken too seriously (it’s nice to think that the only thing a group of mental patients needs to cure their problems is a murder mystery to solve), but I had a bit of trouble believing: a) none of the patients call the hospital when it becomes obvious Dr. Weitzman isn’t going to return (and they all leave the van!), b) the crooked cops wouldn’t be able to whack Weitzman at their convenience, considering the guys suddenly become fugitives from justice, and c) the dream team is given a tiny security detail even though the entire city believes they’re a gang of homicidal lunatics! Oh, and see: "You Might Like This Movie If."

Rating: The Dream Team is a highly-contrived (see: “Really?”), and overly-long late-1980s comedy that’s enjoyable if don’t analyze the plot too closely. Think of it as a unique opportunity to watch three great comic actors: Keaton, Lloyd and Boyle trade wisecracks. Oh, and watch for a pre-Sopranos Lorraine Bracco as Keaton’s long-suffering – and very attractive – girlfriend. 7/10 stars. 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097235/?ref_=nv_sr_1