Clue (1985)
82%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Clue, a film that has been both praised and criticized, is a comedic masterpiece that has stood the test of time. While some may argue that the constantly multiplying plot developments make it hard to care about who did it, others recognize the film’s infectious energy and physical pratfalls as a true gem. The women, along with Tim Curry, carry the show with their impeccable comedic timing, while writer/director Jonathan Lynn’s script and direction are a masterclass in comedic writing. With every member of the cast knocking it out of the park, Clue is a film that everybody knew what they were doing, and it shows.
Clue is a hilarious masterpiece that will have you laughing from start to finish. The cast is absolutely perfect, with each actor bringing their A-game to the table. The physical comedy and witty writing are infectious, making it impossible not to get caught up in the kookiness of it all. Sure, the plot may be a bit convoluted, but who cares when you’re having this much fun? If you’re looking for a good time, Clue is the movie for you. Just be prepared to laugh until your sides hurt!
Production Company(ies)
Peacock
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
1985
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 36m
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Language(s):English
ALL CAST, AUSPICES, AND BELOW THE LINE -
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 13, 1985 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 27, 2000
Genre(s)
Mystery & thriller
Keyword(s)
starring Eileen Brennan, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, directed by Jonathan Lynn, written by John Landis, Jonathan Lynn, Jonathan Lynn, mystery & thriller, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Paul Attanasio, Kevin Thomas, Dave Kehr, Trevor Johnston, Roger Ebert, Janet Maslin, Debra Hill, PG rating, based on board game, dinner party, murder mystery, suspects, aliases, blackmail, Paramount Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Guber-Peters Company, sound mix stereo
Worldwide gross: $14,643,997
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $14,643,997
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Martin Mull – Colonel Mustard
Lesley Ann Warren – Miss Scarlet
Tim Curry – Wadsworth the Butler
Madeline Kahn – Mrs. White
Christopher Lloyd – Professor Plum
Director(s)
Jonathan Lynn
Writer(s)
John Landis, Jonathan Lynn, Jonathan Lynn
Producer(s)
Debra Hill
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (35) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (11)
You leave it with one conviction: stick with the game.
January 2, 2018
Paul Attanasio
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
It’s not the least bit scary or suspenseful but instead quickly grows tedious. The more you struggle to keep track of the constantly multiplying plot developments, the harder it gets to care who did it.
March 21, 2013 | Rating: 2/5
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
Only Lesley Ann Warren, as a tough-talking madam, finds an effective level of stylization, using her leggy physique and wildly expressive features to create a cartoonish figure that’s funny within its own boundaries.
January 19, 2007
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
The characters are less credible than their plastic counterparts, the puerile humour is dispiriting, and the plotting pulled this way and that by the conceit of releasing the film in the US with a trio of alternate endings.
June 24, 2006
Trevor Johnston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
One ending is more than enough.
October 23, 2004 | Rating: 2/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
Though it takes only 87 minutes to arrive at one of its three different solutions, it has long since worn out its welcome by the denouement.
May 20, 2003 | Rating: 2/5
Janet Maslin
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
A masterclass in comedic writing, timing, and editing.
March 31, 2023
Don Shanahan
Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast
One of the funniest movies ever made, bar none.
November 2, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Trace Thurman
Horror Queers Podcast
One of the best comedies ever made. The women (and Tim Curry) carry the show, while writer/director Jonathan Lynn’s script and direction carries infectious energy. Witty, filled with physical pratfalls and kookiness, Clue is an absolute gem
October 29, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Joe Lipsett
Horror Queers Podcast
It’s amazing how fresh and vibrant Clue feels, with every member of the cast knocking it out of the park.
September 10, 2021
Jason Shawhan
Nashville Scene
Everybody knew what they were doing
August 12, 2020 | Rating: 10
Andrew Galdi
Movie Bitches
Every single person is perfect
August 12, 2020 | Rating: 10
Avaryl Halley
Movie Bitches…
Plot
When Mr. Boddy is murdered at a dinner party, all of the guests become suspects and must work together to figure out who the killer is in the comedy-mystery film, Clue.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t have anything goofy or funny to say about the film Clue, but they do mention the impressive cast which includes Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Martin Mull, and Lesley Ann Warren.
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