Stuart Saves His Family (1995)

Director:

Harold Ramis

Writers (WGA):

Al Franken (screenplay)
Al Franken (book)

Release Date:

12 April 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

You'll laugh because it's not your family. You'll cry because it is.

Plot:

Stuart Smalley, the Saturday Night Live character, comes to the big screen. Stuart, the disciple of the 12 step program...

Plot Keywords:

Saturday Night Live | Public Access | Based On TV Series | Accidental Shooting | Hunting

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Al Franken	...	Stuart Smalley
Laura San Giacomo	...	Julia
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Donnie - The Smalley Family
Shirley Knight	...	Mom - The Smalley Family
Harris Yulin	...	Dad - The Smalley Family
Lesley Boone	...	Jodie - The Smalley Family
John Link Graney	...	Kyle - The Smalley Family
Marjorie Lovett	...	Aunt Paula - The Smalley Family
Walter Robles	...	Smalley Uncle - The Smalley Family (as Walt Robles)
Erik Cord	...	Smalley Uncle - The Smalley Family
Denver Mattson	...	Smalley Uncle - The Smalley Family
Grant Hoover	...	Young Stuart - Flashbacks
Cory Milano	...	Young Donnie - Flashbacks
Michelle Horn	...	Young Jodie - Flashbacks
Harris Laskaway	...	Mr. Dimmit - Flashbacks (as Harris Laskawy)

Also Known As:

Stuart Stupid - Eine Familie zum Kotzen (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language and substance abuse.

Runtime:

Brazil:96 min | USA:95 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | Canada:PG | USA:PG-13 (No. 33363) | Spain:T | UK:12 (video premiere) | Sweden:11

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Stuart is reliving his recurring dream about saving his father's life, you can see the top of the airbag while the stunt man is falling from the roof.

Quotes:

Dad Smalley: Why don't you pick on somebody with pubic hair?
Mr. Dimmit - Flashbacks: What?
Dad Smalley: You gonna give me the ball? Or would you like me to shove it up your ass?
[starts rolling up his sleeve]
Dad Smalley: Wanna hear my preference?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Bob Saget/TLC (#20.19)" (1995)

Soundtrack:

On The Sunny Side Of The Street

This in a sweet, under rated movie....

Movies inspired by SNL characters seem to have a consistently bad reputation. But that reputation is usually based on the fact that the films failed at the box office. The truth is, they are good solid comedies that were never meant to be blockbusters. 'Stuart Saves His Family' is just such a film.

This film has a cast of excellent actors who portray tragedy and comedy with sublime skill. The script is heartfelt and funny. There is no mockery of recovery programs or the self-help movement. Instead, 'Stuart Saves His Family' evokes the all too real humor amid the tragedy that comes from being part of a dysfunctional family (and world).

AL Franken's deadpan deliver of Stuart's ridiculous, but charming self is the the heart of the movie. But equally good are Piper Laurie, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lesley Boone & Harris Yulin. All four play characters who could easily descend into shrill, two-dimensional background support to the wacky lead character. Thankfully, the actors all bring out the human beings inside their characters.

The message about finding your own definition of happiness and family is another of the movie's strong points.

I also recommend "Superstar", another SNL character driven movie, starring Molly Shannon. She's an excellent actress with a wicked, silly streak.