Lost in America (1985)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Albert Brooks

Writers:

Albert Brooks (written by) &
Monica Mcgowan Johnson (written by)

Release Date:

15 February 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A husband and wife in their 30s decide to quit their jobs, live as free spirits and cruise America in a Winnebago.

Plot Keywords:

Directed By Star | Trailer Park | Travel | Motor Home | Unemployment

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Albert Brooks	...	David Howard
Julie Hagerty	...	Linda Howard
Sylvia Farrel	...	Sylvia, Receptionist at Ross & McMahon
Tina Kincaid	...	Model
Candy Ann Brown	...	David's Secretary
Maggie Roswell	...	Patty, Linda's Coworker at Broadway
Hans Wagner	...	Hans, Mercedes Salesman (on phone) (voice)
Brandy Rubin	...	Paul Dunn's Secretary
Michael Greene	...	Paul Dunn, David's boss at Ross & McMahon
Tom Tarpey	...	Brad Tooley, Ford Account guy from New York Office
Robert Hughes	...	Security Guard at Ross & McMahon
Raynold Gideon	...	Ray, Friend making toast at farewell party
John Di Fusco	...	Motorcyclist on freeway flipping the bird
Michael Cornelison	...	Front Desk Clerk at Desert Inn
Radu Gavor	...	Bellman at Desert Inn

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Sweden:Btl | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company:

Geffen Company, The

Trivia:

In his autobiography, Garry Marshall (who played the casino manager) wrote that he was initially exasperated by Albert Brooks demanding take after take of their scene. But once he saw the rushes and realized that his frustration made his character funnier, he acknowledged to Brooks's comic sense.

Goofs:

Continuity: The hair color, thickness and grooming of Paul Dunn, David's boss, changes radically several times in a matter of moments.

Quotes:

Pharmacist in Safford AZ: I don't believe an older man in a motor home would work out.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Wanderlust (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

THE BIG W

Hilarious satire from masterful Albert Brooks

Albert Brooks and Monica Johnson have fashioned in their Lost in America screenplay a spot-on portrait of upper middle class malaise and its correspondent affluence atrophy -- and skewered it all with perfect vignettes of accomplished comic finesse. Most fans of this film -- and it certainly has a cult following -- will gleefully cite scenes ranging from the legendary "nest egg" speech to the job service interview as examples of terrific comedy, and I wholeheartedly agree: Lost in America is very funny. Brooks, who not only co-wrote the film but also stars and directs, only falters a bit when it comes to the overall pacing (I thought the section that opens the film spends too much time in Los Angeles before the couple decides to head out for the open road), but this is a minor complaint. Most of the time I am laughing too hard to point out any flaws.