Sardony Widely unknown gem that explores the source of comedy. Oliver Platt plays the unfunny son (Tommy) of an enormously successful comedian played by Jerry Lewis (George). Tommy, after a tragic debut of his stand-up comedy act in Las Vegas, goes back to his birth hometown in England in search of what is funny. In England, Tommy discovers aging vaudevillians and their quirky acts, one of which he recognizes. He then explores the family who perform this familiar act, finding more than comedy.While the film's subplot about a mystical eastern powder smuggled in large wax eggs at first appears better edited out, it provides a tenuously apt metaphor.The greatest part of this charming story comes from learning about the family and their history. And we learn of the tragedy and pathos deep within their comedy.I've always firmly believed the old tenet that the best comedy has threads of tragedy (or menace) in it. And in England, failed comic Tommy discovers this as well. As Tommy, Oliver Platt shows his own pathos from the start and is remarkable. The rest of the cast is a marvel: Leslie Caron is absolutely gorgeous, especially in her man's shirt, untucked, singing a cabaret song. The procession of old vaudevillians are a delight in a montage, and Freddie Davies and George Carl as an aging brother act are a revelation, a beacon illuminating the forgotten immense talent of days gone by. But the film belongs to the remarkable talents of young Lee Evans as the perhaps dimwitted son Jack. Here, we see in Evans, and in his character, a source of comedy so organic and abundant that Jim Carrey and his characters now look utterly forced and sham. And it's a shame that Evans is not as well known worldwide as Carrey; this fact being another of comedy's tragedies. Oddly, or aptly, Jerry Lewis plays one of the most serious characters in the film because he has to confront and admit the source of his own comedy. To the Jerry Lewis-phobic audience, fear not: he is actually very good here, probably because he largely, generously, takes a back seat to the more central characters. In Hitchcock parlance, Lewis' character is something of the "MacGuffin" that drives the larger story, and Lewis appears to understand this.The style of direction is quirky, showing much charm in the old seaside town in England that was, in some long ago day (when the sun seemed to shine every day), a center for quality vaudeville. And the viewer gets to delight in two hours' evidence of what Platt's character believes: that (in my favorite line of the film), "...all the best things in life belong to the past." Overall, hardly a perfect film. Yet it's one that stays with you. There's much love, charm and laughs in this work that may leave you feeling compelled to add to your list of all-time favorites.

Enoch Sneed How can you fairly describe a plot which contains family drama, suspense and a local gangster who is trying to buy some kind of Chinese elixir of life (smuggled from France)? Maybe it's best not to try. Suffice to say the whole thing builds to a tense climax which could see a horrible repetition of an event from the past which we have been shown in flashback.All the performances are excellent. Oliver Platt as failed comic Tommy Fawkes looking for the special something that will make him funny looks unnervingly like Orson Welles in some scenes. Jerry Lewis as his legendary father George is full of wonderful advice. When Tommy is making his Vegas debut he tells him "the room is full of people all ready for you to make them laugh" - just the thing to calm dressing room nerves. I find the idea of Jerry Lewis in Blackpool a great joke in itself.There is great support from Freddie Davies and George Carl as the Parker Brothers. Formerly the top act at Blackpool Tower they are given a new lease of life (literally) and the opportunity to perform again. My one quibble with 'Funny Bones' is that throughout the film we're told how great the Parkers were, yet when they are finally on stage all we get are snippets of what looks like a terrific slapstick routine.Finally there's Lee Evans whose energy (cliche coming up) threatens to burst right off the screen. His 'Valve Radio' routine is almost too fast to be funny, while in the more dramatic phases he successfully gives Jack Parker the necessary aura of danger and unpredictability the story needs. Jack can't help being funny even when being interviewed by a psychiatrist: Q: "Have you lived in Blackpool all your life?" A: "Not yet." Leslie Caron looks beautiful and sophisticated as Jack's mother, Katie. While she is portrayed sympathetically we see she is far from perfect as wife or mother, (and despite the words of her song, Englishmen *do* make love in the afternoon - believe me).A film which is largely set in Blackpool can't be all bad and 'Funny Bones' is far from being all bad. Even this setting is stylised with some strange 1950's retro touches, as if Blackpool hasn't moved on for thirty years or so. I'm afraid honesty compels me to say that Blackpool is in fact dirty, tawdry, a little squalid and the sun certainly doesn't shine everyday. The entertainment centre (the 'Golden Mile') stretches along the shoreline but soon gives way to the usual Victorian terraced streets. People in the north of England like to think of it as our Las Vegas but the Lancashire coast is about as different from the Nevada desert as you can get. In this film we still seem to be seeing Blackpool through the eyes of six-year old Tommy Fawkes. And where are the trams?

jotix100 Not having seen this film, or even remembering if it ever played locally, it was with amazement we stumbled into this brilliant comedy directed by Peter Chelsom. The screen play is by Mr. Chelsom and Peter Fannery.The opening scenes are disorienting because we aren't prepared for what will follow in any way, but in retrospect, it makes sense because it ties in with the story in ways that a casual viewer might overlook.The biggest thing going for this film is the wonderful Lee Evans who gives a performance bigger than life and ends up stealing the film and making it his own. This young actor deserves to be seen in other films because he shows a charisma and a talent unmatched by other, more experienced actors.The other surprise was Jerry Lewis. Not being a fan of Mr. Lewis, he gives a retrained performance, much better than in some of his comedies. Leslie Caron is also excellent, although she is not seen but in a few pivotal scenes. Her Cleopatra dance shows her in great physical form. Oliver Platt, as Tommy, wins our sympathy because he bombs as a comedian in front of a Las Vegas audience.The real stars of the film are George Carl and Freddie Davies, genuine comedians, doing what they do best. Their routines show us a team of the most talented people in the business.Blackpool, the English seaside resort comes alive as it shows why it's the mecca for popular entertainment.

kalala This amazing film won't let you go. I was never a Jerry Lewis fan, but his performance here is extraordinary. The movie is a Pirandellean exploration of the nature of comedy. It works on so many levels--acting, script, cinematography, plot, and of course comedy. The dark secret of humor is that a grin is really a grimace. Oliver Platt is amazing--I hadn't seen him before and will now go to anything he plays in on the basis of the performance. He plays a failed comic son of a famous comic father (Jerry Lewis) exploring the roots of comedy--his own personal family roots, the roots in his home town's vaudeville, and ultimately its roots in the human psyche. I can't tell much more without giving away some of the twists of the roller-coaster of a plot. If you like to think while being entertained, here's a movie for you.