Lost in America (1985)
85%RT Audience Score: 77%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Lost in America, the 1985 comedy film directed by and starring Albert Brooks, has received mixed reviews from critics. While some have praised Brooks’ originality and sharp writing, others have criticized the lack of humor and action in the film. However, it’s hard to deny the film’s universal themes of greed, hedonism, and panic, which make it relatable and funny. The standout scene featuring a hilarious turn by director Garry Marshall is a testament to Brooks’ comedic genius. Overall, Lost in America is a well-directed and effortlessly entertaining satire of the Reagan era that cautions us to be careful what we wish for.
Lost in America is a classic comedy that will have you laughing from start to finish. While the script may not be perfect, the witty writing and sharp humor make up for any shortcomings. The performances by Albert Brooks and Julie Hagerty are solid, but the real standout is director Garry Marshall in a hilarious cameo. This film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing the American Dream, but it’s also a reminder to never take life too seriously. So sit back, relax, and get ready to get lost in the laughs.
Production Company(ies)
LGBTQ Stories, Social, Topical
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
United States
MPAA / Certificate
NR
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 31m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 8, 1985 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2001
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Albert Brooks, Julie Hagerty, Michael Greene, Tom Tarpey, Garry Marshall, Maggie Roswell, directed by Albert Brooks, written by Albert Brooks and Monica Johnson, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Neil Jillett, Bob Thomas, Kirk Ellis, Jason Bailey, Nick Schager, Roger Ebert, Brian Eggert, MPAA rating R, Marty Katz produced, Marty Katz Productions and The Geffen Company production co, road trip, satire, American culture, Las Vegas, Winnebago, cross-country, advertising job, liquidate assets, roulette wheel, misguided, suburban life, neurotic, yuppies, satire on American fantasy, cultural jabs, leaving it all behind, finding oneself, Easy Rider, National Lampoon’s Vacation, satire on greed, hedonism, panic
Worldwide gross: $10,179,000
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $10,179,000
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.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $14,996,648
Production budget ranking: 1,518
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $8,075,695
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Julie Hagerty – Linda Howard
Michael Greene – Paul Dunn
Tom Tarpey – Brad Tooley
Garry Marshall – Casino Manager
Maggie Roswell – Patty
Director – Albert Brooks
Producer – Marty Katz
Production Company – Marty Katz Productions, The Geffen Company
Director(s)
Albert Brooks
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (39) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (2)
The script is rarely funny and often far too talkative, and the small amount of action is flat-footed. Brooks and his co-star, Julie Hagerty, do not show enough sparkle in their acting to make up for these deficiencies.
April 4, 2022
Neil Jillett
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Brooks, who wrote the script with Monica Johnson, is a highly original comedic spirit.
October 22, 2018
Bob Thomas
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
Too often, things are simply too painfully accurate to be particularly funny. Still, it’s hard to fault Brooks’ resolutely adult intelligence, and Lost in America – almost in spite of itself, really – is easily his most consistently amusing work to date.
March 19, 2018
Kirk Ellis
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
It’s an endlessly funny and often uncomfortable piece of work, featuring some of the sharpest, deftest writing Brooks and frequent collaborator Monica Johnson ever crafted.
August 6, 2017
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
An amusingly bumpy ride.
May 4, 2005 | Rating: B
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
TOP CRITIC
Lost in America is being called a yuppie comedy, but it’s really about the much more universal subjects of greed, hedonism and panic. What makes it so funny is how much we can identify with it.
October 23, 2004 | Rating: 4/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
Lost in America is unquestionably Brooks’ funniest, most cynical, yet most insightful film, and the height of his wincing scenarios about disenchanted creatives.
February 14, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
There’s a fantastic scene featuring a hilarious turn by director Garry Marshall.
November 1, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Cautions us to be careful what we wish for.
March 29, 2021
Rob Aldam
Backseat Mafia
…a solid piece of work…
March 17, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Brooks’ Lost in America is a well-directed and effortlessly entertaining satire of the Reagan era.
September 8, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
Even when sizable blunders burst into unimaginable proportions, it’s difficult to be mad at these personas; they’re funny when they bicker and charming when they reconnect.
September 6, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins…
Plot
A yuppie couple quits their jobs and sets out on a cross-country road trip to find themselves and discover America, but their idealized notion of the American experience is shattered when they lose their savings in Las Vegas in the comedy film “Lost in America.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Signed in on Fresh Kernels.
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