Kids in the Hall - Brain Candy poster & wallpaper
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Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson ... see more see more... , Janeane Garofalo , Paul Bellini , Christopher Redman , Erica Lancaster , Jackie Harris , Kathryn Greenwood

The Canadian sketch-comedy masters hit the big screen with Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy, their send-up of psychopharmacology and its social ramifications. Each "kid" plays a plethora of roles; in fac... read more read more...t, nearly every character in the film is played by one of the five "kids". When Roritor Pharmaceuticals finds itself on the verge of bankruptcy, research chemist Chris Cooper (Kevin McDonald) finds himself pressured to push his latest development to market without adequate testing at the risk of losing his job. The product -- Gleemonex, an anti-depressant bearing more than a slight resemblance to Prozac -- seems at first to be a wonder drug; users find themselves in a perpetual state of bliss as they relive their fondest memories time and again. Success goes awry, however, when a fatal side-effect surfaces -- users become catatonics. The craze has caught on, however, and the entire world seems to be taking Gleemonex, forcing Dr. Cooper to fight his employers and warn the masses before disaster strikes. The plot is really just an excuse for a series of funny, hallucinogenic sketches involving the memories and fantasies of its users; the funniest include a grandmother's all-too brief holiday visit with her family, and a married man's homoerotic experiences in the military. Another winning scene: a brooding grunge-rock idol (Bruce McCulloch) who's taken the drug unexpectedly changes his tune at a concert to the bewilderment of his angst-hungry fans. Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy is hit-or-miss satire, but much of the humor finds its mark in this humble, surprisingly intelligent film. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

9,185 ratings

Critics

38% liked it

34 critics

R, 1 hr. 28 min.

Directed by: Kelly Makin

Release Date: April 12, 1996

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DVD Release Date: July 16, 2002

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Stats: 589 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (589)

  • LoughnerWasLucid
    October 16, 2010
    LoughnerWasLucid
    ehh.... it aint no American pie: naked mile, dats da trufe.
  • puffchunk
    November 19, 2007
    puffchunk
    It's exactly like stummies! But it makes flipper babies. This movie was great, but after a while it got to that point where it felt like they were just making stuff to fill time.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    June 24, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A wacky comedy about a pharmaceutical corporation releasing "Gleemonex", a happiness drug - and its affect on the world. It's quirky and funny, with a trip inside the minds of those who take the drug. I really liked Cancer Boy, the Disco-Chick and the Gay Dad. It's hummm-funny li... read moreke "The Kids in the Hall" TV show, but not rip-roaring funny.
  • mjgildea
    November 20, 2006
    mjgildea
    If you've never seen an episode of Kids in the Hall, you probably won't get into it. If you have and didn't like it, you probably won't like it. But if you love the show, you'll love the movie.
  • divinetrash
    April 11, 2009
    divinetrash
    The film was not worth destroying The Kids in the Hall, but at least they could come up with a clever and funny story and it's just always a blast to see these guys together.
  • fb68600877
    April 7, 2012
    fb68600877
    Pretty decent. There were some laugh out loud moments, but nothing really stands out as worthy of highlighting except Mark McKinney's Lorne Michaels impression. "My empire is crumbling!!!"
  • femmelegere
    November 21, 2008
    femmelegere
    Pretty darn funny I would have to say. The film could have been a bit less sporadic as far as the humor it almost seems like it was a bit pushed. I was a little shocked by David Folleys name not appearing as a writers credit. Interesting that he was so dissatisfied with the scri... read morept that he quit midway I think it has a lot to say.
  • tishtacular
    May 2, 2008
    tishtacular
    Okay, let's premise this with the fact that I'm a HUGE Kids in the Hall fan.

    This film is awesome to see the characters from the Kids in the Hall show interwoven into an ongoing, film-length storyline. As a film itself, the storyline feels weak and cliche--anyone who's read... read more Brave New World knows the fate of people addicted to happy pills. Be that as it may, KitH and their characters are great comedy. This film just proves that they should stick to the sketch format.
  • Cknee23
    August 27, 2007
    Cknee23
    i saw this at a time in my life when i couldn't appreciate this kind of humor. hence the low rating.
  • guymac
    June 30, 2007
    guymac
    Though much different from their sketch comedy show, this movie is uniquely odd, offbeat, unconventional and funny!

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Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady
May 19, 2008
Leonard Klady, Variety

The ensemble is assured and adroitly gets the gags across without telegraphing punch lines. Full Review

David Ansen
March 31, 2008
David Ansen, Newsweek

A twisted comedy for twisted times, this movie made me happy. Go figure. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
June 18, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

A splendid showcase for their diverse, frisky talents. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

[A] shrill and slovenly opus. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Isn't anything more than a sloppy showcase for the group's costume-changing tricks, but sometimes its sheer chutzpah can be amusing. Full Review

Andy Seiler
January 1, 2000
Andy Seiler, USA Today

Some of this is very funny; much of it isn't.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Reader, I did not laugh. Full Review

May 19, 2008
Film4

You'll be laughing through your disapproval. Full Review

May 19, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

There are some very funny bits, but they're interspersed with long stretches of exposition that drag the whole thing down, down, down. Full Review

JoBlo
August 11, 2006
JoBlo, JoBlo's Movie Emporium

It was supposed to be a comedy, but it just wasn't funny. End of story. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

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Kids in the Hall - Brain Candy Trivia

  • In the movie, 'Kids In The Hall: Brain Candy', what was the name of the anti-depressant drug they invented?  Answer »
  • Which Kids in the Hall cast member did not portray a woman in Brain Candy?  Answer »
  • The movie "brain candy" was from which Canadian comedy troop?  Answer »
  • In the Kids in the Hall movie "Brain Candy" what disease do they believe they have created a cure for?  Answer »
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