Review of Going Berserk (1983) by Timothy S — 27 Sep 2014

Until his untimely death, John Candy was always one of our most likable and dependable comic actors. Even in the worst of films, he always got the most out of his bankable charisma and you won't find a much more unappealing film that he starred in than "Going Berserk".

This was his first major film role after leaving the Canadian comedy troupe "SCTV", and several of his friends from that outfit just about sink their careers before they get started in this film as well.Candy shows some of the star quality he would be known for in this dreary, unfunny picture but co-stars Joe Flaherty and Eugene Levy aren't given much to do.

There's a plot here, but in all actuality, it makes up very little of the film's blessedly short running time. The rest of this almost feels like the worst episode of "SCTV" ever, a weak collection of skits that seem disjointed and out of place. The biggest time waster here involves Candy getting arrested and breaking out with future "Ghostbuster" Ernie Hudson. It eats away at the running time and has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but like the rest of the picture, it's completely devoid of laughs.

The movie might have worked better as a "PG" rated, more family orientated film like "Who's Harry Crumb?". The sex humor here feels out of place and unnecessarily crude and embarrassing. Candy's best films were kinder, gentler offerings, but this was too early in his career to know what kind of role would fit him the best. At the time this was made, "R" rated comedies were all the rage and that's what was offered to him. He should have waited for a better offer. "Going Berserk" is a desperate and forgettable flick.