Review of Going Berserk (1983) by Brian S — 25 Aug 2009

A hint at what could have been for John Candy. This feels the most SCTV-like of his films (a lot of future SCTVites appeared on David Steinberg's 70s TV vehicle), and it's not just down to the presence of Candy, Flaherty and Levy.

The film feels like a series of skits strung together with a flimsy Manchurian Candidate parody and satire of Moonies. As such it's very variable in quality, the best bits being the parts furthest from the plot (Kung Fu U, Ernie Hudson's character and the Father Knows Best parody).

Also Candy's John Bourgignon comes from "Melonville" the home of SCTV, and plays closer to Candy's grasping weasel Johnny La Rue than the characters he'd make his name playing.

The highlights make up for some obvious flaws (weird pacing and Joe Flaherty being wasted playing the straight man most the film), but it's by no means essential for anyone other than Candy and SCTV fans.