A Fine Madness

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A Fine Madness

Released Jun 29, 1966

1h 44m

Comedy

Drama

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33%

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6 Reviews

35%

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250+ Ratings

After years of failure, hapless poet Samson Shillitoe (Sean Connery) is at the end of his rope. But no more so than is his current wife, Rhoda (Joanne Woodward), who suffers through his daily and casual philandering. But after Rhoda reports his erratic behavior to famously brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Oliver West (Patrick O'Neal), the sociopathic Shillitoe finds himself institutionalized -- though within arm's reach of West's gorgeous partner, Dr. Vera Kropotkin (Colleen Dewhurst).

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Elizabeth Sussex

Sight & Sound

All this is a well-tried type of nonsense, with a sound grounding in verisimilitude, that needs the right touch to emerge as both wild and funny. [Irvin] Kershner has this touch and his film never loses our amused attention.

Apr 2, 2020

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a decent-enough premise that's employed to increasingly (and aggressively) unwatchable effect...

Rated: 0/4

Jan 4, 2021

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: C

Jan 24, 2013

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Never finds its own voice.

Rated: C+

Sep 1, 2007

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Chuck O'Leary

FulvueDrive-in.com

The off-beat A Fine Madness succeeds on the level of breezy lightweight entertainment.

Rated: B-

Jul 2, 2006

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Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

I've never seen such an ill-advised film and such amazing talent put to such little ultimate effect.

Rated: 1.5/5

Jun 23, 2006

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Audience Member

This movie is a horse that's a camel made by a committee. Awful. Disjointed, tries too hard to be funny. I can't imagine that any of the stars in this were satisfied with this movie. A good example of a strong cast and a weak script.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Solomon M

Sean Connery plays a frustrated poet fighting writer's block while also dealing with his violent nature.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/25/19

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Audience Member

This movie is a hot mess, nevermind a fine madness. It is supposed to be a comedy, but the ending, where Samson assaults his apologetically pregnant wife is a disturbingly sad comment on what someone thought was funny at the time. Joanne Woodward shouts all her lines, giving me a headache. Sean Connery enjoyed insulting women so much in the role, that he is totally unlikeable in it. The premise had so much potential... A poet and a psychiatrist and the exploration of sex... But it didn't deliver.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

The off-beat A Fine Madness succeeds on the level of breezy lightweight entertainment.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Sean Connery can play comedy. This movie made me laugh out loud.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

One ill-directed film with a lot of talent going to waste.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Irvin Kershner

Director

Sean Connery

Samson Shillitoe

Joanne Woodward

Rhoda Shillitoe

Jean Seberg

Lydia West

Patrick O'Neal

Dr. Oliver West

Colleen Dewhurst

Dr. Vera Kropotkin

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Synopsis

After years of failure, hapless poet Samson Shillitoe (Sean Connery) is at the end of his rope. But no more so than is his current wife, Rhoda (Joanne Woodward), who suffers through his daily and casual philandering. But after Rhoda reports his erratic behavior to famously brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Oliver West (Patrick O'Neal), the sociopathic Shillitoe finds himself institutionalized -- though within arm's reach of West's gorgeous partner, Dr. Vera Kropotkin (Colleen Dewhurst).

Director: Irvin Kershner
Producer: Jerome Hellman
Screenwriter: Elliott Baker
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 29, 1966, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 1h 44m

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