Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageLarger Than Life (1996)
Director: Howard Franklin
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Mr Cynical Chops, Murray, certainly meets his match in this buddy pic with a difference. His Jack Corcoran, motivational guru on the conference circuit, puts his success down to losing his dad at an early age, so he's in for a shock when he discovers the old man has only just passed away, bequeathing his son a circus clown's red nose and Vera, a performing elephant. Countless comic opportunities present themselves as Murray and his new pal make their way across country to settle her future: will it be with kindly researcher Garofalo, who'll return the beast to the wild, or seductive trainer Linda Fiorentino, who'll put her in a Vegas show but pay big bucks up front? Well, you don't need second sight to figure that one out. We know the elephant will knock lots of things over, tricks will be performed at significant plot points, and Bill will turn into a big softie along the way. If there's not much room for manoeuvre, Murray in curmudgeon mode is as watchable as ever. We learn, of course, to be kind to animals, though whether this sits easily with the well-trained antics of the co-star is another matter. Disgracing itself only with McConaughey's over-extended bit as a psychotic trucker, the film delivers more or less comfortably on what you'd expect, then sits down for a rest.Author: TJ
Cast & crew
Director: Howard Franklin
Producer: Richard B Lewis, John Watson, Pen Densham
Cast: Bill Murray, Janeane Garofalo, Matthew McConaughey, Keith David, Pat Hingle, Jeremy Piven, Lois Smith, Anita Gillette, Harve Presnell, Linda Fiorentino full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Duration: 93 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now