Drop Dead Fred

Plot synopsis:
Elizabeth Cronin is an unassertive and repressed woman, domineered by her controlling mother, Polly. While taking her lunch break from work, she visits her husband, Charles, from whom she is separated, hoping to sort out their problems. He reasserts his desire for a divorce and says that he is in love with another woman named Annabella. While she is at the public phone, a man walking down the street breaks into her car to steal her purse. Then her car is stolen as well. Forced to run back to work (at the courthouse), she arrives late and loses her job. While leaving the courthouse she runs into an old friend, Mickey, who brings up childhood memories they shared, which includes memories of Elizabeth's childhood imaginary friend, Drop Dead Fred. Mickey explains how only Elizabeth could see Drop Dead Fred, and everybody else thought she was crazy.
Since losing her job Elizabeth moves back into her mother's home. While rummaging through past belongings in her childhood bedroom closet, Elizabeth finds a taped-shut jack-in-the-box. She places the box by the window and gets into bed. Through a series of flashbacks, it is revealed that while he caused havoc for her, he also gave her happiness and a release from her oppressive mother. Elizabeth wakes up to find the jack-in-the-box slowly playing music. She removes the tape and the box continues to play itself, faster and faster, until Drop Dead Fred flies out of the box, finally freed after all these years. He agrees to help her become happy again, which she believes will only happen when she wins back Charles. However, his childish antics do more harm than good. He sinks Janie's boat, causes havoc at a restaurant, and even makes Lizzie attack a person playing a violin in a shopping mall.
Worried by Elizabeth's recent strange behavior, Polly brings her to a (children's) psychologist. In the waiting room, Fred is seen meeting up with the imaginary friends of other patients, who are all children. The doctor prescribes medication to rid her of him, whom he and Polly believe is a figment of her imagination. She also changes her appearance and wardrobe. Charles now wants her back and she is overjoyed, until Fred discovers he is still cheating on her with Annabella. Heartbroken, she tells Fred that she cannot leave Charles, because she is scared of being alone. They escape to a dream sequence in which she is finally able to reject him, stand up to Polly, and declare she is no longer afraid of her. She frees her imprisoned childhood self. Fred tells her that she no longer needs him, so they kiss and he disappears into her eternal subconscious.
Upon awakening from the dream, Elizabeth dumps Charles and asserts herself to Polly, who blames her for her father leaving home. Before leaving, she reconciles with Polly, and encourages her to find a friend to escape her own loneliness. She goes to her friend Mickey's house, and on meeting, they both express interest in becoming more than just friends. After his daughter, Natalie, comes up to them and blames Fred for mischief that has just prompted her nanny to quit, Elizabeth realizes that he is now with Natalie. She can no longer see him, but he is now leading another, and smiles contentedly.

Tags: cult, humor

Review:
I watched it again recently, and while the film's slapstick comedy did not hold quite the same massive appeal (although I was still hugely entertained) as it did when I was younger, I regretted to discover that I had grown out of a lot of the goofy antics that went on in the movie.However, I was reading through some of the reviews written on the IMDb by other users, and was amazed at how offended a couple of people were by this film, revealing in their reviews a total detachment from their own inner selves and a complete misunderstanding for the little people that we call kids.
Drop Dead Fred begs Elizabeth not to let her mother turn her into one of them because he doesn't want her to turn into the kind of person who is so uptight and frigid and barren that she would be incapable of enjoying exactly the kind of entertainment and fun that Drop Dead Fred is.This is a movie that was made for people who are still in touch with their inner child, people who realize that a little girl with a mother who has absolutely no understanding of the mind of a child has every right to escape into the world of an imaginary friend if it will help her escape the grayness and responsibility imposed on her by her mother, who demands absolute perfection and hasn't the first clue about how to raise a child.
Very similar things can be said about various IMDb users, such as ones who refer to Fred as a product of a deranged mind or say anything about psychos or brutality or insanity.Drop Dead Fred is not a film about an insane little girl.
I am generally against grouping together people who did not like a certain film, but in this case it seems overly obvious that the people who wrote negative reviews of this fun comedy are simply the people who resent being pointed out as the kinds of people that they are.Drop Dead Fred is a movie that was made for fun, to be enjoyed, laughed at, and respected for reminding us that we need to lighten up occasionally and, while not necessarily flinging spaghetti in a nice restaurant, act like children every once in a while to prevent ourselves from being driven insane by the fast-paced society that we live in.
And if you can't do that, if you hated Drop Dead Fred because you simply can't understand that concept, if, indeed, you think that Elizabeth is in dire need of psychiatric care, you may want to step back and look closely at your life and your views.
it should become clear by the end of the movie that this is a fantasy, Fred is not an imaginary friend he is "real" he exists and his sole purpose in life is to help children in a dark place and bring them out of themselves.
Able to be loved by younger kids and laughed-at by the more "balanced" adults, DROP DEAD FRED is just fun.
My children "grew up" with this film in our library and we have seen it probably 30 - 40 times over the years.For those with absolutely no humor or sense of childhood-wonder still, you would be doing yourself a big favor to miss this flick.
I laughed at the reviewer claimed "her" imaginary friend had way better taste and wouldn't be seen dead acting like "Fred"....pity her!
The entire point of the film is brought to bear at the very conclusion of the film when Phoebe realises she has finally grown up and Fred knows it is time to "move-on."  Personally I found this extremely touching, but there again, I never grew up!Manic Mayall was born for this one role and he makes the most of it.
Instead of pointlessly hypothesizing about the dullness and pointlessness that most likely constitute your personal lives, I choose to take the high road, and merely state that Drop Dead Fred will make you laugh, cry, and question nearly everything about your life...if you listen to it.
But it's those people who didn't have an imaginary friend as a child, who can't understand what it's like to have a friend who'll annoy the crud out of you, but still be the one you want to spend time with everyday.I saw Drop Dead Fred when I was six years old, and now, at fourteen, i'm still watching it with friends who i've shown it too.
There are so many funny parts in this film, it's impossible to name them all, but Rik Mayall never fails to bring up the laughs in any scene, as he gives a highly energetic, enthusiastic performance.
But after being; abandoned by her father (and seemingly Fred), emotionally battered by her mother, and losing her only other real friend (Ron Eldard is really charming in this bit) as a child; who wouldn't cling to any shred of love they can get?While this movie is so funny and energetic, it's at the end it really pays off for the grown ups.
I thought Drop Dead Fred was a wonderfully magic film as it has a brilliant sense of humour, a beautiful friendship, love , a moving end and -of course- Rik Mayall's brilliant British humour.
I first saw Drop Dead Fred when I was 15 and didn't really fancy it at first but there was nothing else on T.V, however, what I thought was going to be a purely childish movie turned out to be a wonderful light- hearted film for everyone and enjoyed every minute of it, and i'm not afraid to say I did have a few tears in my eyes at the end but it was beautifully acted and a perfect end to a perfect film.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who needs a good laugh or wants to watch a one-of-a-kind comedy!
Though honestly, I saw this film when I was about 7 and it had no adverse effect on me, and I still enjoy it now, as an 18 year old.People who claim it isn't funny generally do so because they aren't fans of crude and slapstick humour.
When Elizabeth (Phoebe Cates) returns to her childhood home after her marriage breaks down, she re-creates her imaginary friend from her childhood; Drop Dead Fred (Rik Mayall) to help her cope with the loss.Fred should have never been allowed to enter the world of an adult, he simply breaks everything he comes in to contact with, including Elizabeth's chances of getting her life back on track, and Rik Mayall portrays this maniac in true mad-cap fashion.'Drop Dead Fred' is wickedly funny, but it does have very serious and accurate undertones beneath all the zany comedy, and is a great deal cleverer than most people give it credit for.7/10.
I love Drop Dead Fred- it's one of the funniest movies ever made.
This movie was so foolish, but if you can drop your lofty adult ideals of comedy, then you will find yourself laughing loudly like you did when you were a kid.Elizabeth's life is falling apart.
To help her through the tough times her childhood imaginary friend, Drop Dead Fred, returns.
His comic timing is masterful in The Young Ones and Bottom and Drop Dead Fred is just a feature--length excuse to showcase his talent (or sheer madness, whatever works best) It tells the story of Elisabeth trying to live out her childhood as happily as a child could.
But her obnoxiously overbearing mother won't allow her to do what comes naturally to children - play - Her only solace is from her bad-influenced, wonderfully-manic imaginary friend Drop Dead Fred.
I think those who "get" this film understand the complexities of the film's premise, retreat into fantasy isn't healthy but sometimes it's the only refuge a person has, Fred is as destructive as he is supportive but every annoying action requires the Phoebe Cates character to strengthen her own boundaries and sense of purpose.Okay, I don't want to sound like Doctor Joyce Brothers, just find it ironic that what some people don't like about this film is what distinguishes it from the usual Hollywood bull***t, Fred isn't cute and cuddly, that would have been false, imagine Robin Williams as Fred...that film would be a complete waste of time..
But if, like me, you started to get angry when the ending of 'Hook' started to leave room to rationalize the whole thing as dream, and you cheered when what's-his-name got his marbles and that film embraced the reality of it's fantasy, then rush out and find 'Drop Dead Fred.' And if you didn't enjoy Fred, I can only quote the Wendy lady from Hook: "Why Peter, you've become a pirate!".
Drop Dead Fred is essentially a film version of grown-up Calvin and Hobbes - except the real kid is the good one, and the imaginary friend is naughty.There are so many original, funny, creative scenes in the film that it is worth watching for those alone.Having said that, I did find the film a little boring until Fred's introduction.
After that, however, there isn't a boring moment to be seen.Rik Mayall plays the part perfectly, Phoebe Cates is excellent and the costumes are superb too.I would whole-heartedly recommend this film to anybody who still holds on to a bit of the child in them.
Drop Dead Fred tells the story of a young woman (Phoebe Cates) when she was about 6 years old she had an imaginary friend called "Fred" 21 years later she remembers about "Fred".
Drop Dead Fred was an extremely hilarious film,Lizzie(Elizabeth) was a perfectly rational character,and the way the character Drop Dead Fred was obnoxious,energetic and a bit crazy was laugh-out-loud brilliant and really well-played.The beginning was hilarious(when Elizabeth as a little girl in bed didn't believe the fairytale about a princess rescued by a prince told by her mum and said to her mum "What a pile of s***").The movie started to get funnier and more interesting when Drop Dead Fred followed Elizebeth(the character who was the little girl in bed who was the only one who saw Drop dead Fred),who is grown up as a lady, all throughout the movie and causing chaos with her situations.But he also saved her life because her boyfriend was cheating on her,so Elizabeth leaves her boyfriend.
It was a bit sad at the end of the movie when Drop Dead Fred couldn't stay with Elizabeth any more,but the thing was he was an imaginary person who was most of the times off the wall but a hero as well.My favourite scene is where Lizzie meets up with her old friend from childhood and then Drop dead Fred shows up sitting on the table and saying "Oh no,Mickey Fartpants!Let him grow up!God,he's still talking about love!I always said you should be a girl!".That was so hilarious I always laugh to death on the couch.All in all,the film was side-splitting and touching as well.I'll always watch this movie on DVD whenever I want a real good laugh of Drop Dead Fred and his explosion of chaos and laughter!.
This is a film I grew up with really, and it's one of the earliest movies I can remember, I must have watched it a hundred times when I was little!
Drop Dead Fred manages to portray the magic of childhood so beautifully, and I think it'll be a hit for anyone who isn't afraid to laugh at its silly jokes, and not take themselves too seriously!
Additionally, in this scene Rik Mayall is pretty sexy, red wig and all..I've been shocked reading reviews where people were actually offended by this film, because although it is a certificate 12, as I've said I can remember watching it from a very young age- 4 or 5- and it's done me no harm!
Phoebe Cates is also great as Elizabeth Cronin, a woman with a child-like innocence trying to deal with adult problems in the real world while battling her Psychosis which is manifested by an imaginary friend.
I love this movie!I shared it with my daughter when she was very young.Every time it would come on t.v. we would watch it.
I have never heard that child laugh so loud.Who does'nt love Fred?It just makes you feel like a kid again.
drop dead fred was my favourite movie as a kid i must of watched it over 30 times i was always scared of it for some reasons but if you always thought how cool it was to have or want to see what it would be like to have an imaginry friend this is for u..
Rik Mayall plays the invisible friend from Elizabeth Cronin's (Phoebe Cates) childhood, who has come back into her life in an attempt to make her happy.
The final dream-state sequence includes some great set pieces, and the viewer finds themself surprisingly sorry to see the back of Rik Mayall.If you like seeing Rik Mayall doing idiotic things on screen, this is essential, and although "Drop Dead Fred" isn't a great comedy, its got some entertaining scenes.
As a whole, it may not be a very strong movie, but there are parts that are very entertaining.Rik Mayall, in the role of Drop Dead Fred, is the main character Elizabeth's (played by Phoebe Cates) imaginary friend who returns to help her win her husband back.
I love how like a true childhood imaginary friend, Drop Dead Fred isn't seen or detected by anyone else but Elizabeth and mischievous, terrible things that he does are thought to be done by her.I was especially touched by how things are resolved at the end of the film.
Drop Dead Fred is an absolutely funny movie, you can quote this movie over and over, It has charm and the movie still touches me every time I watch it ( Which is everyday )I can not recommend this movie enough, It is my favourite movie of all time.
Please don't wait any longerI just hope this movie gets released on DVD some day and more people can experience how great it is.If you are looking for other recommendations, I strongly recommend you rent buy Pump Up The Volume and Heathers.Drop Dead Fred = Amazing.
The movie made me laugh and cry and really want an imaginary friend like Fred.
So expect childish behaviours from Drop Dead Fred (played by Rik Mayall, who is described by the character of Phoebe Cates as "way out of control").
As we all know, Fred is the best character in the whole movie and I think Rik Mayall is so cool.
At the time I was able to watch anything, but "Drop Dead Fred" was one of the few films I simply couldn't digest.Many say that movie-going children should be protected from sex and violence on screen, but they're all wrong.
After recently becoming a Rik Mayall fan, I took a break from watching zombie flicks all day to check out this hilarious and heart warming film where Mayall acts as Drop Dead Fred, an energetic and spontaneous child-hood imaginary friend to a 26 year old girl, Elizabeth.
...unlike in this movie, where Elizabeth's childhood friend (Drop Dead Fred) not only never died, but even comes roaring back to life for dear sweet Elizabeth when she is 21, adult, and miserable.I liked this movie a lot, in spite of every good reason NOT to like it.
Mainly, it isn't a very convincing story concept to build from (it seems barely believable that a young woman as poised and beautiful as Elizabeth could really have a psychological need for her imaginary friend from childhood, Drop Dead Fred, to come back into her life).
It seems this movie was made mainly just as an excuse for Rik Mayall to act obnoxious and goofy, and for Phoebe Cates to be, well, a perfectly sweet young woman.But that, folks, is also what makes for great comedy  that pairing of extreme opposites.
"Drop Dead Fred" is a hilarious movie.
Trouble ensues...Rik Mayall is crazy good as Drop Dead Fred.
Drop Dead Fred is simply a cute little film, with a funny/silly plot.
And Rik Mayall really do put on a very good performance as the imaginary friend Drop Dead Fred.
I was laughing a good amount throughout the course of the movie, especially because of the hilarious situations that Elizabeth (played by Phoebe Cates) ended up in because of her imaginary friend.Rik Mayall is quite well-cast for the menacing make-believe friend, and he seemed to be given free hands to do what he wanted with the character.
I was more than genuinely entertained by his comedy in this 1991 movie, his brush with Hollywood, although he was always more at home in the British comedy.Aside from an all-over-the-screen Rik Mayall, then Phoebe Cates also did perform nicely in "Drop Dead Fred" and borough her usual charms.
Due to the great Rik Mayall's recent passing, I decided to re-watch his (pretty much one and only proper) big screen outing, 'Drop Dead Fred.' I saw it in the cinema when it was first released and have almost forgotten everything about it.
The basic premise is that a young woman's childhood imaginary friend (Fred, played by Rik Mayall, obviously) returns to make her life hell.Now, the problem with having a (prominent) character whose main role in the film is to be annoying, is that he's annoying.
Or if you like Rik Mayall, 90's films or silly movies that don't take themselves seriously.Plus a movie about imaginary friends hadn't been done before and have never been done again..
All the while, she conjures up an imaginary friend named Fred (who has a British accent, much like her father).Watching this as an adult, this movie has some heavy things going for it.
Without getting into Phoebe Cates amazing looks Drop Dead Fred still qualifies as one good movie.
All in all Drop Dead Fred is worth consideration if your want to see something to make you feel like a child again.