SimonJack The plot of "Funny Farm" is a good one, and the script has doses of funny lines. But most of the comedy comes in antics involving Chevy Chase, and in the comedy rapport between Chase and Madolyn Smith Osborne. From the opening scene - a farewell lunch and drinks among the boys from the newspaper, one might wonder why there haven't been at least a couple more movies made along these lines.Chase is Andy Farmer, a sports writer for one of the Big Apple newspapers of the day. He is doing what many "rag" writers dream of doing - escaping the big city for country life and the chance to write the great American novel. His wife, Elizabeth, is a school teacher and they both have looked forward to living in Redbud. It might be in Upstate New York, or western Connecticut or Massachusetts. The Farmers get there by heading up the Hudson Valley Parkway and have some distance to drive. Whichever state it's in, it is definitely some distance off any major roads. The country home they bought is very nice and has a tremendous view. While there's nothing wrong with the house, troubles begin right away with the movers, the rural mailman, and some of the locals. How will things work out? Will Andy get his novel done, or will someone else have success writing? Will the Farmers settle into their community? That's all part of the fun in this comedy that has just a little satire about rural life and people. This film has some swearing in places, but otherwise it's a decent comedy that older kids and adults should enjoy. The funniest lines are mostly upfront. Here are some favorites.Newspaper Editor, "Andy, all my life I've dreamed of packing up and leaving the city and the newspaper business behind." Reporter, "What stopped you, Jack?" Newspaper Editor, "And moving to some quiet little town in the country and putting down on paper the novel I know I have inside me." Reporter, "That's not a novel, Jack, its heartburn." Mickey, "This ain't a bridge. It's termites holding hands." Crocker, driver of the moving van, "You still got that map?" Mickey, "Yeah." Crocker, "Don't lose it. It might be the piece of evidence that gets me off a murder charge." Mickey, "Who you gonna kill?" Crocker, "The S.O.B. who drew that map." Elizabeth Farmer, "When they say hardwood floors, what they really mean is hard, wood floors."

gwnightscream Chevy Chase and Madolyn Smith Osborne star in this 1988 comedy based on the book. This tells of sports writer, Andy Farmer (Chase) and his wife, Elizabeth (Osborne) who give up city life and move to the country in small, Vermont town, Red Bud. Soon, things go terribly wrong for them when meeting odd, new people, getting into mishaps and finding unexpected things on their property. Andy also tries writing a novel and when Elizabeth decides to write too, they drift apart. I watched this growing up and always liked it. Chase is great as usual, he & Madolyn have good chemistry and the late, Elmer Bernstein's score is great as well. I recommend this good 80's comedy.

namashi_1 A film like 'Funny Farm' is lethargic, it's one of those attempts that rely completely on it's Lead Star. And so on, 'Funny Farm' works in some parts, only because of it's Lead Star, The Legendary Chevy Chase. The Multi-Talented Dude, contributes superbly in the goings-on and is the ONLY reason why this late 1980's comedy works in some levels. Adapted from a 1985 comedic novel of the same name by Jay Cronley, 'Funny Farm' begins ably, slips completely in the middle, but redeems itself by a fairly convincing climax. The humor here, is targeted to children, and in that aspect, the film works. In terms of Screenplay & Presentation, 'Funny Farm' is an average product, that never really attempts to become legendary. It manages some truly funny moments, but some-where, it loses it's focus & leaves everything for it's Lead Star to do.In totality, 'Funny Farm' raises some laughs, but mainly, it's Chevy Chase who deserves the praise.

dgreene99 Funny Farm has some pretty funny moments with the movers, the crazy mailman, a sheriff that rides in a taxi, yellow dog, the Redbud village people and then there is the beautiful Madolyn Smith... the ambiance of the movie really sets it in the location and makes you believe they are really in that crazy small little town... similar to other fish out of water stories (Green Acres, Mr Blanding Builds His Dream House, etc.) but with the Chevy touch!Then to have it all turn around and the reason they moved out turns out to work for her rather than his... great story!!Chevy at his best... see Funny Farm for all it's intricate little funny story lines that cumulate with Chevy and Madolyn both getting what they want in the end. Redbud is reminiscent of a small town in NC I used to spend my summers while growing up (maybe not that crazy, but it had it's moments)