Drop Dead Fred DVD > Reviews > Drop dead Fred

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Good
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	Hilarious entertainment
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Director: Ate De Jong
Producer: Paul Webster.
Writers: Elizabeth Livingston, Carlos Davis, Anthony Fingleton.
Stars: Phoebe Cates, Rik Mayall, Marsha Mason, Tim Matheson, Carrie Fisher, Daniel Gerroll and Ron Eldard.

This comedy about the relationship between a girl and her imaginary friend was released in 1991.

**BRIEF PLOT**

Elizabeth Cronin, or Lizzie, (played by Phoebe Cates), is a young lady with low self esteem, allowing everyone to walk all over her. When she somehow manages to lose everything in one lunchtime, including her job and her husband, she is forced to move back with her overpowering mother, Polly, (played by Marsha Mason) in her childhood home.

Unfortunately for her, when she steps into her old bedroom and finds a rather battered jack in the box she is soon reunited with her imaginary friend from her childhood 'Drop dead Fred', (played by Rik Mayall), who only Lizzie can hear or see.

With many flashback later, the story unfolds as to how Lizzie happened upon Fred and how Fred would always get Lizzie into trouble.

But as Lizzie was now in the same state of mind as when she was younger, being depressed and alone, she unleashes the power of the very naughty Fred.

As Lizzie tries to get her life back on track, attempting to patch up her marriage, Fred is at her side, trying to help in his own haphazard way…

**IN CONCLUSION**

Well what can I say about this movie..??? Hilarious?, comical?, side-splittingly funny? Well all three spring to mind.

As most people had/have imaginary friends when they are kids this movie opens your mind to just how difficult a friend like that can be.

The story is well written and the all round acting is fantastic, considering everyone, apart from Phoebe, (Lizzie), can not see the hilariously funny Rik Mayall. How people can keep a straight face whilst Rik is doing his thing right at their side is beyond belief and takes some concentration, (a lot of scenes must have taken many 'takes' to get right…)

With his awesome acting abilities and his perfect timing, Rik Mayall, (who I always remember from 'The young ones' and 'Bottom') plays the imaginary friend to perfection, his brilliant smile and dodgy green clothes create one strange but funny
character, he really does make this one a cracking entertaining movie.

Together with Phoebe Cates, as the rather vulnerable young lady, who also acts her part well, trying her hardest to ignore Fred and his childish ways, this movie is one of the funniest of its time.

Because one or two scenes are a little risqué for younger viewers, (and maybe a little embarrassing for parents to explain why) this movie is certified as '15', however, I feel this is a little strong as I suspect younger people would find this one eye-wateringly funny without being offended.

Would I recommend this…?

Yes I defiantly would.
It is a very funny movie, (but what do you expect with the great Rik Mayall in it). It will have you laughing out load throughout and wonder why your imaginary friend was never like Fred????

Can be purchased on Amazon.co.uk for around £3.00 or HMV.com for £4.99