One Crazy Summer (1986) User Reviews

"Saturday Night at the local..."

[fjhuerta-2 · 7/10 · 27 September 2001]

Thus starts "One Crazy Summer", the evil twin of "Better off dead..". How can any movie be bad when the opening lines are sung by David Lee Roth?

This movie is a total blast. Pairing again John Cusack with Curtis Armstrong, but this time adding Bobcat Goldwaith to the mix has great, funny results. Hyperactive Bobcat grates the nerve of everyone around, Curtis "Ak Ak" is the son of a deranged military with pacifist tendencies, and Demi Moore (with natural breasts... wow!) as the love interest of, once again, chronically depressed Cusack.

The story is, well, simple enough. The laughs are there, but both Savage Steve Holland films have a certain quality to them... they are funny, but they are also sweet. The scene where Curtis finds a blown up doll in the target practice beach, and begins musing about how a little girl won't be able to sleep was dumb, funny and touching. The animation used throughout is quite surreal. "The Boat" is hysterical (complete with Watsamatta U. sail and Odie plush doll). Overall, a fun film, though not as good as "Better off dead..."

One Crazy Summer

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 29 January 2010]

It's a simple fact that there are many of us from the 80's generation who grew up loving those loopy John Cusack comedies made by Savage Steve Holland, and while I prefer there other more bizarre, out-there flick, Better Off Dead, it's hard for me to dislike One Crazy Summer, a movie I grew up loving wholeheartedly as a kid into my teens. OCS was a follow-up to Better Off Dead, returning Cusack and Curtis Armstrong from that film.

Cusack is Hoops, following graduation pal Joel Murray(George)to Nantucket for the summer to each some fun on the beach. Hoops finds himself embroiled in a feud with a blonde, buff punk named Teddy Beckersted whose lecherous father has designs on bulldozing over homes of a neighborhood to build a giant condominium. One of the homes, needing it's mortgage repaid belongs to Demi Moore(Cassandra). There's a sailboat race which might be their only hope of saving Cassandra's grandfather's home(..he had recently passed), but it has been won by Teddy over the past many years, and Hoops is deathly afraid of boats over water. But, with the help and motivation of newfound Nantucket friends(..such as Bobcat Goldwait and Tom Villard as auto-mechanic twin brothers!), George, and budding love-interest Cassandra, perhaps Hoops can come to terms with his fears and win the race to save the neighborhood. Armstrong has a supporting part as the son of a kooky, manic weapons salesman, General Raymond(..SCTV's Joe Flaherty in an inspired bit of casting), Ack, who uses the training from his father to assist Hoops and company in their goals to win the race.

Memorable scenes include Bobcat getting stuck in a Godzilla suit(!)running rampant across an entire model of Aguilla Beckersted(Mark Metcalf, barely recognizable as Teddy's rather unhinged pops)'s condominium, Hoops being chased by deranged cub scouts wishing to perform first aid, George a victim of toxic flatulence, Bruce Wagner's nutty Uncle Frank's increasing insanity every time he tries to better his chances to win 1 million dollars from a radio show, and the wonderful Billie Bird as George's grandma who actually bills the group after a meal! Jeremy Piven as(you guessed it)a brutish jerk who associates with Teddy and causes trouble for Hoops and his posse, the yummy Kimberly Foster as Cookie(..Teddy's girl who attempts to make-out with Hoops while he attends a luncheon with his father), and the one-and-only William Hickey as Old Man Beckersted, who will not reward his son and grandson an inheritance if they lose the sail boat race. Demi Moore is cute, but this is Cusack's vehicle, though Bobcat and Villard steal most of the scenes their in. Again, some delightful animation from Holland are sprinkled throughout the movie(Hoops is an artist, appropriately). If you like his movies, I highly recommend the underrated, How I Got Into College.

It's hard to catch lightning in the bottle twice

[cricketbat · 5/10 · 16 March 2019]

One Crazy Summer tries really hard to be the next great screwball comedy. It's as if they said, "Remember all that fun we had filming Better Off Dead? Let's do that again! Just go crazy whenever the camera is rolling." There were some parts that made me laugh, but overall this is a ridiculous and forgettable movie.

One Crazy Summer

[Coxer99 · 28 June 1999]

The always likable Cusack collaborates with "Better Off Dead" director Holland again in this comedy about a struggling cartoonist who helps a singer (Moore...And boy does she sing badly.) save her family home from a land developer on the island of Nantucket. Goldthwait is his usual maniacal self and adds some laughs to the picture. A film that has loads of fun with itself. Completely harmless.

Not Nearly As Funny as Better Off Dead...

[Gislef · 6/10 · 15 March 1999]

...but still humorous enough. The main problem is Demi Moore, who seems to have the impression she is in a serious movie. She also fails to convey much romantic interest in John Cusack's character. Lots of zany humor from the hand of Savage Steve.

A delightful comedy that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

[Millbags09 · 7/10 · 30 December 2022]

One Crazy Summer is a classic 1980s comedy that follows the misadventures of a group of teens as they spend the summer on a beach in New England.

The movie has a great cast, including John Cusack, Demi Moore, and Bobcat Goldthwait, and the chemistry between the actors is one of the highlights of the film. The script is full of hilarious one-liners and memorable moments, and the movie has a light, fun tone that makes it a joy to watch.

One Crazy Summer also has a great sense of nostalgia, with its retro setting and music adding to the charm of the film. The movie is a great reminder of a simpler time, and it's sure to bring back memories for anyone who grew up in the 1980s.

Overall, One Crazy Summer is a delightful comedy that is sure to bring a smile to your face. If you're a fan of 1980s movies or just looking for a fun and entertaining watch, this is definitely a movie you should check out.

yes...AND ,no!!(?)

[matthewmarkham · 7/10 · 2 June 2007]

i adore this film as much as any one adores viewing whatever it was they saw when they were young. it was one of those films that Home Box Office showed every other day throughout my youth. this film is forever lodged in my brain. For someone who didn't grow up around this film, you may have become spoiled by the ADD cycle we've been in since the mid-90's and may find it more difficult to appreciate this gem. cool this is, as my sis was doped up on "better off dead" before i saw this (of which i raped & loved)-and no one, NO ONE can deny the embrace of awkward teenage humor in American cinema in the 80's - this gave birth to everything we have found tiresome in teen comedies..because with all the overuse of slow-mo, the current soundtrack, the new tech. I wonder if cinema will go back to these roots... THIS IS the teen comedy...YES!

Completely miss-able, despite the star power

[vestabrigit · 2/10 · 6 March 2005]

Despite this being one of John Cusack and Demi Moore's early films, it is one even hardcore fans can miss, unless they absolutely have to complete the collection. I have rare moments, where I can handle Better Off Dead, but this movie is ultimately worse. I am just not a Savage Steve Holland fan, and he did both movies. So if you don't like the cheesy, random comedy and amateur animation, steer clear of this one. FYI even for the Demi Moore fans: she can't sing and the 80s synthesizers did not save her. There are too many predictable twists and too-easy jokes. I suppose if you want mindless entertainment or something you can leave on in the background and ignore while you do something productive, then go for it. Otherwise, don't watch this movie. If John Cusack (or Demi Moore) couldn't save it, you know it's got to be bad. They are the only reason I didn't give this movie a 1.

Bring Back Savage Steve Holland

[PeterB2422 · 9/10 · 27 May 2005]

In the eighties, Savage Steve Holland put out three movies, two of which are classics of what seems to be a very small genre, absurdist teen comedies. The third "How I Got Into College" does not measure up to "Better Off Dead" and this one, mainly because of it's lack of John Cusack and Curtis Armstrong (Except for a tiny cameo).

One Crazy Summer is an underrated movie, with lots of great characterizations and gags. As I recall, Savage Steve's movies were vilified as being brain dead at the time and after three movies he drifted into children's TV. We could use more movies from the likes of him.

funny

[kittiwake-1 · 7/10 · 31 August 2006]

This is the follow-up creation to Better Off Dead. In a competition, Better Off Dead would win hands-down. But for star power, One Crazy Summer outshines Savage Steve's better script. Problems with One Crazy Summer (OCS): casting. Better Off Dead (BOD) was cast so much better. Friendship: OCS shows Cusack giving hateful looks to Bill Murray's little bro. Trouble on the set?? More outrageous friends in OCS, but more genuine friends in BOD. Plot was good. You'll predict some of it, but even the predictable parts go further than you think they could. So, even though this is Better Off Dead's ugly stepsister, it's worth a look. See Demi Moore before the plastic surgery if for no other reason. John Cusack fans, you gotta see it, just to say you have. If you don't like Bobcat Golthwaite, I'm sorry. I don't like him either, but you can't escape him in this one. At least he does a great job in the film doing a tribute to another movie monster. Editing needed help on the beach, but for most part, not much to complain about. Overall, it's good and funny. But try not to compare it to BOD or you'll find it lacking. *sigh*

Quite possibly the worst film i ever seen

[jamiebawn · 1/10 · 16 February 2020]

This is sooo bad. I mean if it was aimed at 6-10 year olds maybe it could be forgiven but it's meant to a teen/adult movie. I can't believe it has such high reviews. It must be Americans who find this utter garbage funny. I don't think anyone from Europe over the age of 11 would give this more than 2 out of 10. The plot is really naff. The acting is terrible. The only one that can just about act is Demi Moore and she was a mediocre actress at the beginning of her career in the 80s. She must look back particularly with this film in shame. I know the 80s were naff but this is something else. Typical but worst version or an American 80s teen comedy (its not funny at all by the way). Again i cannot believe that people have reviewed this higher than a 2 out of 10. Bunch of sad people who don't get out i say

From the creator of Big Bang Theory comes 80's zaniness...

[nvrevnwithsteven · 10/10 · 4 April 2019]

I used to look forward to this on Saturdays in the 80's on NY's channel 11 ('NY's movie station'). It was so great. Demi when she was first getting started, Cusack in his dry humor perfect voiced roots as well, Revenge Of The Nerds Booger playing against character as the unconfident loser, and what's an 80's movie without the blond snooty a-hole from the money side of the tracks. From the girls who made goofy faces that stayed to the lunatic uncle who spent his summers trying to win a call-in radio contest to even 80's goofball Bobcat Goldthwait it was fantastic. Oh and let's not forget the fat guy who sat on the chair over George causing paramedics come and fight over who will do CPR. This and Better Off Dead were truly John Cusack's best in my opinion, oh look, another great Booger/Cusack collaboration... and let's not forget Demi knows Dow!!

Good, but not quite as good as Better off Dead

[reverendtom · 7/10 · 11 December 2006]

This is from much of the same creative team behind "Better Off Dead", but is not quite as good as that amazing teen comedy. Its a lot of fun, but its all over the place and just not quite as funny. Curtis Armstrong is used to less effect (he was incredibly funny in "Better off Dead", Bobcat Goldthwaite is hilarious, Cusack is good, Demi Moore is Demi Moore (only with better hair here.) Overall its fun, and as a person from Cape Cod, it catches the feeling of an 80s Cape Cod summer very effectively. For some reason, this film feels more "mainstream" than "Better off Dead". There isn't quite as much left field absurdity going on here. Again, if you are a fan of John Cusack and Savage Steve Holland its definitely recommended.

Almost not that bad

[CaptainHamhock · 4/10 · 9 January 2021]

Cusack - and a few supporting cast - tried to make a go of it, but the weight of a bad script pulls it all down. Having watched this for the first time today - after finding the movie by chance and thinking that it would be 'a Cusack film' and so good - it reminds me of multiple movies of the same vintage. It will remind you of other movies largely because it borrows so much from so many other movies. There was likely some effort to spoof the other movies, but the writing fails to deliver anything but repetition of the other movies and so you are simply remind of how much better they were than this sad little tale. This movie should be a pass for anyone but a diehard Cusack fan, who wonders what his earlier 'poor' movies were like. Better off Dead was better and The Sure Thing was much better among his ealier work.

'One' of a kind!

[jellyneckr · 8 May 2004]

Upon seeing ONE CRAZY SUMMER for the first time many years ago, I wasn't very impressed with it. I thought it had some decent laughs, but I was overall disappointed. Then I saw this again movie last summer when it was on VH1 and my opinion instantly changed. I loved it.

If there is one movie genre that really stuck out in the 1986, it was goofy comedies. From ARMED AND DANGEROUS to POLICE ACADEMY 3: BACK IN TRAINING, 1986 was full of wacky comedies. Perhaps the wackiest of them all, ONE CRAZY SUMMER, like all of Savage Steve Holland's movies, is a classic. Hilariously insane and inventive and loaded with great lines, 'summer' is John Cusack's best movie to date. According to a recent interview I read with Savage Steve Holland, Cusack really hates this movie as well as BETTER OFF DEAD, his previous collaboration with Holland. What Cusack could possibly hate about both movies is beyond me. Both are comedic masterpieces. However, ONE CRAZY SUMMER is the better of the two, mainly because it has a better cast. The cast does a terrific job (Bob Goldthwait has never been funnier).

Simply a classic! ****

Lane Meyer has a new name: Hoops McCann. (spoilers)

[vertigo_14 · 6/10 · 25 January 2005]

'One Crazy Summer' is something of a follow up to Director Savage Steve Holland's 1985 comedy, Better Off Dead. The situation is somewhat repeated in this movie, with John Cusak playing the innocent teen who's romantic quests are thwarted by an obnoxious blonde rival and his equally obnoxious father.

John Cusak is Hoops McCann, legendary basketball player who has no skills whatsoever when it comes to the sport. Just like Lane Meyer in Better Off Dead, Hoops is good at cartooning, and his cartoons are used to help him sort out his dilemmas (well, as much as a cartoon can, anyway). Hoops, a fresh high school grad, joins his sloppy friend, George (you might remember actor Joel Murray as a recent sidekick in 'Dharma & Greg') at his grandmother's house near the beach. There, Hoops meets an aspiring lounge singer (Demi Moore in a role resembling that from 'No Small Affair') who is trying to raise money to save her grandfather's home from the likes of the fiendish rivals who want to knock it down and turn it into a luxury golf course. Hoops, the nice guy that he is, and all of his goofy friends (including the return of Curtis Armstrong and a supporting role by Bobcat Goldwaith), agree to do what they can to help out the girl.

If you have seen Better Off Dead, you'll know to expect lots of stupid comedy and a great assortment of strange characters and subplots (including another strange sibling for Cusak's character, though not as weird as Badger in Better Off Dead). So, if you liked the first movie, you'll probably get a kick out of this one, though it doesn't have quite the same flare as its ancestor movie. And as always, if you enjoy early John Cusak comedy roles, this one is perfect for you. It is still a great 80s comedy.

A fun comedy.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 10 August 2014]

In his second feature with Savage Steve Holland (after "Better Off Dead"), actor John Cusack plays "Hoops" McCann, who's nicknamed that way because it's presumed that he'll play basketball for a living like his old man. But he'd really rather be a cartoonist. After he and his best friend George Calamari (Joel Murray) graduate from high school, George decides to try lifting Hoops' spirits by inviting him to Georges' family's home on Nantucket Island. Hoops makes the best of things, finding one thing that he likes about the location in aspiring pop singer Cassandra Eldridge (Demi Moore). Unfortunately, a piece of property belonging to Cassandra's family is due to be taken away from her by scheming developer Aguilla Beckersted (Mark Metcalf). So Hoops does everything that he can to help her out, with the help of bumbling twins Egg and Clay Stork (Bobcat Goldthwait and Tom Villard).

Holland can't help but fail to quite match the inspired zaniness of "Better Off Dead" with this sophomore effort. Overall it's just not as funny or as fresh. Of course, that doesn't mean that there aren't some great moments. Certainly the location is one big plus, and it's gorgeously shot by Isidore Mankofsky. Holland does include some amusing animated sequences, which he did himself. The characters are all pretty well defined, the heroes and the villains alike. (The villains aren't exactly subtle.) Cusack is engaging in the lead, and Moore is appealing as his love interest. Supporting players Murray, Curtis Armstrong (who plays a very non-"Booger" like role here), Goldthwait, and Villard are a hoot to watch; Goldthwaits' spastic shtick reaches a real zenith here. Metcalf and Matt Mulhern as his thuggish preppy son are guys whom you will love to loathe. And there are an incredible number of other familiar faces in the cast: Laura Waterbury, John Matuszak, Jeremy Piven, Billie Bird, Joe Flaherty, William Hickey, Taylor Negron, Rich Hall, Donald Li, and Rich Little.

There are some delicious gags scattered throughout, such as the obvious spoofs on "Jaws", but best of all is Goldthwaits' big Godzilla scene. It's hilarious and is the highlight of the movie. Clearly Holland was enjoying himself coming up with such ridiculous character names.

Never overly crude, this is an amiable "feel good" feature that, while rather predictable at its core, is still rather hard to resist.

Seven out of 10.

crazy wacky teen rom-com

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 26 August 2015]

Lonely cartoonist Hoops McCann (John Cusack) graduates from high school. His friend George invites him to spend the summer in Nantucket with George's weird little sister. He rescues Cassandra Eldridge (Demi Moore) from a motorcycle gang. They stay with George's grandma where uncle Frank is desperately waiting for a radio contest. They meet up with the idiot Stork twins (Bobcat Goldthwait, Tom Villard) and Ack Ack Raymond (Curtis Armstrong), the son of marine General Raymond (Joe Flaherty). The ragtag group helps Cassandra save her dead grandfather's house from the greedy Beckersteds for their development. She has one week to pay the mortgage.

Cusack is in the throws of his boyish charms. Demi Moore is beautiful and bold girl next door. It's got Bobcat going Goldthwait insanity. Director/writer Savage Steve Holland has his wacky sense of humor similar to his first movie 'Better Off Dead...' It's fun but a bit uneven. The craziness never stops and it's very memorable. Watching it some 30 years later, the most crazy stuff like the Bobcat Godzilla is still unforgettable.

Can't wait 'til fall

[JZvezda · 5/10 · 13 March 2003]

Another movie that aired about 10,000 times too many on cable. I'm not exactly sure what audience I should recommend this to-- there's no gratuitous sex or T & A. No witty dialogue on the trials of being a young person. And nothing particularly screwball enough to qualify it as screwball comedy. It's just kind of there. Like a man's nipples or Wisconsin.

As far as I can tell, it's a movie about a cartoonist, a singer (note to Demi: don't quit the day job), a boat-race (always exciting, those boat-races are!) and a really deathly looking dog with a satellite dish around it's neck. Oh, and some sub-Family Circus animation.

This isn't good enough to be good, nor bad enough to be bad, it's the Cheerios of teen comedies. Although I must note, it's seriously teetering on the edge of Puffed Rice or Muslix with all those ultra-annoying Bobcat Goldthwait scenes. Are there really people out there that find this man funny? I mean, sober people?

The dog with one paw in the grave did make me laugh though. And so did the two ugly kids with the frozen faces. Eeeeeeek!!!!!!!!!!!

A total gut-busting riot

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 10 January 2008]

Affable aspiring cartoonist Hoops McCann (a wonderfully engaging performance by John Cusack) and his best buddy George (the deliciously deadpan Joel Murray) go to Nantucket for the summer following graduation from high school. Hoops, George, and several newfound pals come to the aid of Cassandra (Demi Moore at her most charming), a singer who's family house is being threatened with demolition by the greedy Beckersted clan. Writer/director Savage Steve Holland offers an often hilariously wacky and zesty nonstop barrage of admittedly broad and dumb, but still very funny jokes. The constant madcap lunacy has a real giddy, good-natured and infectiously inane vitality to it that's impossible to either dislike or resist. Moreover, the lively and enthusiastic acting from a fine game cast adds immensely to the zany merriment: Bobcat Goldthwait as the spastic Egg Stork, Tom Villard as his goofy brother Clay, Curtis Armstrong as the sweet Ack Ack Raymond, Mark Metcalf as evil rich jerk Aquilla Beckersted, Matt Mulhern as the mean Teddy, Kimberly Foster as the fetching Cookie, Joe Flaherty as the gung-ho General Raymond, William Hickey as cranky Old Man Beckersted, Jeremy Piven as smug preppy bully Ty, and John Matuszak as hulking biker Stan. Isidore Mankofsky's slick cinematography, the hip thrashy soundtrack, Cory Lerios' cool rockin' score, and the funky animation are all uniformly excellent. Single funniest scene: Egg in a Godzilla suit terrorizing a posh dinner party. An absolute hoot.

Teen comedy on Nantucket Island with young John Cusack and Demi Moore

[Wuchakk · 6/10 · 8 May 2016]

A wannabe cartoonist/writer (John Cusack) is invited to vacation on Nantucket Island with a friend. A string of misadventures begin after they pick-up a free-spirited hitchhiker (Demi Moore) who's being chased by a motorcycle gang. Along with some friends, they must help Cassandra (Demi) save her grandfather's house from the greedy Beckersted Family.

"One Crazy Summer" (1986) is a quirky youth misadventure with just enough good to give it a marginal thumbs up. It's zany and creative, highlighted by Demi in one of her early roles. She was 22 during filming and looks great, but she curiously wears big, loose clothing throughout, which conceals her physical beauty. But there are a few notable females in peripheral roles, such as Kimberly Foster as cookie. There's also a Godzilla parody that's great fun.

The movie runs 1 hour, 33 minutes, and was shot in Nantucket and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

GRADE: B-

Not that good in my opinion

[Yesh4 · 5/10 · 31 May 2014]

^ 4.5/10 I found this film to be very similar to "Better off Dead" in terms of premise and cartoons. However, "Better..." was so so much better because it was really interesting and the gags worked better. This film just seemed to drag on and on even though it was only 1.5 hours...it literally wouldn't end. Most of the characters were under-developed except for John Cusack who was great as usual. Those two Calamari characters were so damn annoying and really got on my nerves.

All in all the only things that stood out in the movie were John Cusack, the soundtrack and the animated cartoons were really fantastic. Otherwise boring film and I would rather watch "Better off Dead"

Always A Fun Watch

[JakeRfilmfreak · 9/10 · 21 February 2023]

To start....... This Movie brings back so many fun memories from Saturday night sleepovers growing up. I love the over the top comedy right down to the cliche love story. And if that doesn't get you, the fact that it's very early performances by Demi Moore and John Cusack should help.

(John Cusack) is Hoops, a guy with good illustration skills who joins his friend George (Joel Murray) on a summer trip to Nantucket Island after graduation. And naturally comedic situations become the film's focal point.

It's not the best comedy ever made, but holds a special spot in my heart. It's worth the 90 minute runtime.

"80's Summer Classic!"

[gwnightscream · 6/10 · 16 June 2014]

John Cusack, Demi Moore, Bobcat Goldthwait, Curtis Armstrong, Joel Murray, Tom Villard, Matt Mulhern and Mark Metcalf star in this 1986 comedy. This focuses on aspiring cartoonist, Hoops (Cusack) who has just graduated high school with pal, George (Murray) and they head to Nantucket island for the summer. Hoops is about to have a summer he'll never forget when he gets into mischief with George and finds romance with singer, Cassandra (Moore) who is trying to save her house from being knocked down. Hoops also has a fear of the water since childhood, but overcomes it when he and his pals enter in a Regatta to try to win Cassandra's house back. Goldthwait (Police Academy 2) plays Egg, Armstrong (Revenge of the Nerds) plays Ack Ack, the late, Villard (Popcorn) plays Egg's brother, Clay, Metcalf (Animal House) plays Beckerstead, a shrewd, land developer who wants to build a restaurant where Cassandra's house is and Mulhern (Major Dad) plays his spoiled son, Ted who doesn't like Hoops and his friends. I grew up watching this and always liked it. It's got a lot of funny moments and a couple dramatic ones as well plus the film sort of pokes fun at "Jaws" and "Godzilla." I recommend this 80's summer classic.

One Crazy Summer-Bring on the Winter! 1/2*

[edwagreen · 1/10 · 2 January 2010]

This is beyond stupid.

Two high school graduates travel to Nantucket for the summer and find situations there that are absolutely revolting.

Demi Moore co-stars in this one. As the film was in 1986, was Ashton Kutcher just a babe in the woods at that time?

Moore's grandfather has died and his home is on the verge of being sold to ruthless people with a father and son who bring a new meaning to the term mean.

Bobcat Goldthwait, with that obnoxious voice is in the film, as well as two brothers, who make dumb and dumber look more and more intelligent.

The writing is absolutely ridiculous. Highlights of the stupidity are where one person says to the other: "Did you ever notice that when people die, they go alphabetically in the papers?"

I rest my case.