wes-connors Airline executive Jeff Daniels (as Ray Macklin) is startled when his childhood pal and adult co-worker drops dead at an annual fête. Worst of all, Allan Havey (as Pat Hagen) expires right before the punch-line of the joke question, "Why don't Italians like barbecues?" The tragedy turns Mr. Daniels into a raging hypochondriac. Preoccupied with sickness, Daniels loses his sexual urge for unsatisfied wife Melanie Mayron (as Jenny). Daniels thinks he's going to die while we're laughing at all the funny scenarios involving his expiration. It turns out the there is a surprise ailment for Daniels along with some vividly dreamy sequences...The punch-line to the repeatedly-uttered joke, "Why don't Italians like barbecues?" is finally given, if you're waiting and wondering. It's not much of a joke, if you ask me; but, it apparently wasn't meant to be. Since this flat, slap-sticky comedy was produced by "Nelson Wilbury" aka Beatle George Harrison's HandMade Films, you do get a cool credits listen to The Traveling Wilburys' "End of the Line" and will also hear "Lefty Wilbury" aka Roy Orbison sing for "Only the Lonely". Among the interesting cameos is Mr. Harrison sweeping the floor in Heaven. Just thinking about that for a moment ought to put a smile on your face.**** Checking Out (4/21/89) David Leland ~ Jeff Daniels, Melanie Mayron, Allan Havey, Michael Tucker

SamHardy I have seen too many films to count in my 63 years. This one is on my list of top 10. Cynical, absurd, wise, full of unforgettable characters and situations. It may not be everyone's kind of funny, but certainly is mine. Not everyone appreciates dark comedy and this one is dark. I seldom laugh out loud at films, but this one kept me in surgical stitches all the way through. Absolutely chocked full of amazing performances. Check out Jo Harvey Allen in a scene with Jeff Daniels in the front seat of his car. Classic! Michael Tucker does a great turn as Jeff Daniel's Boss. Stephen Tobolowsky is unforgettable as a whacked out pharmacist. All of the actors are given some great material to work with. It must have been a joy for all of them.Keep your eye peeled for David Byrne in a small role as a bar tender. Producer George Harrison (yes that one) also has a small role as a cleaner in heaven. Which is where he currently resides. He is wearing an orange jump suit pushing a broom!I think I will sign off now and go check my blood pressure.

marbleann This movie caught me completely off guard. Last night I hit the jackpot for a movie buff I discovered 2 movies that I never heard of before and they both did their job, they were entertaining. The first movie was suppose to be a cheesy horror movie, Defender of the Realm, which was much better then a lot of horror movies I have seen with big budgets and big names. The other movie was this one.Comedy is not one of my favorite genre's, unless it a Mel Brooks or Albert Brooks and I liked Rodney Dangerfield's movies in the 80's. I never understood the fuss over Jim Carey and I am not a Porkeys or Caddyshack or a big Woody Allen fan. I was set to turn the channel but they were at a barbecue and one of the friends are telling these really bad but funny jokes and he suddenly drops to the ground. The guests thinks he is still joking but one has the sense to say "call a ambulance". The laughs come non stop from there. It is a black comedy. The Jeff Daniels character who is a co worker and friend of the dead guy becomes the biggest hypochondriac on film since Rock Husdson in Send me No Flowers. His wife was talking about the dangers of eating salt the day before and he scoffs it off. Now he because of the sudden death of his friend and the ER doctor saying it is not uncommon for that to happen with people his age he believes his days are numbered. The whole film circles around that premise.What makes it hilarious is the various characters he runs into. He goes to a doctor believing he is a medial doctor only to find out hie a psycho therapist. His behavior is so crazy that the cardiologist referred him. He feels there is some conspiracy to lie about his prognosis and he just knows he is going to die, but no one else thinks that way, the therapist has a little cut on his finger and Daniels alarmed about it. What happens is priceless. Before that he meets some man in the waiting room who seems to be his type of guy. Reading medical books, whining about his health and looking for something to be wrong with him. He is suppose to be a health nut because of all of his imagined medical malady's and distrust of doctors, and Daniels wants to read this book he read. Well I am not going to say what happens but it has to be one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen in a movie.This is a movie you have to see. Because it is a black comedy you really can't convey how funny it really is. What is so funny about a man friends dropping dead and he believing he is next?I liked this movie so much I am going right over Amazon or Overstock and buying it if I can.

Seymour Asses Although many "comedies" turn out to not be so funny, this one never even tries! There are no jokes or humorous situations to be found anywhere in this film. If I didn't know better I'd say Checking Out was written as a drama then re-edited into a comedy. This movie really could have been funny if it had been better written.