A Fine Mess

PG

Released Aug 8, 1986

1h 28m

Comedy

List

25%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

33%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

While at the racetrack, actor Spence (Ted Danson) overhears two mobsters plotting to fix a race by injecting a horse with steroids. When Spence and his friend Dennis (Howie Mandel) try to bet on the juiced horse, mob boss Tony Pazzo (Paul Sorvino) orders his goons to silence the duo forever. To make matters worse, Spence starts having an affair with Pazzo's wife, Claudia (Maria Conchita Alonso), and the police begin investigating recent events at the racetrack.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Aug 01

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent A Fine Mess on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

StephenPaul C

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 28 minutes starring Ted Danson and Howie Mandel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/23

Full Review

kevin c

Ted Danson and Howie Mandel star in this caper comedy from Blake Edwards as two best friends who accidentally get mixed up in a mob scam fixing horse races. The mob henchmen are after them as are the police. This has a few fun moments, but pretty dated and corny for the most part. Always forget how hot Maria Concita Alonso was in the mid eighties.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good drama with some slaps stick thrown in 4 good measure

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Funny Comedy And One Of The Best theme Song In Movie History.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

haven't seen this flick in ages... they just don't make like these any more.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

i felt lost watching this film .. i kept losing focus and drifting off. i will watch again sometime.. kind of a lackluster blake edwards film

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Blake Edwards

Director

Ted Danson

Spence Holden

Howie Mandel

Dennis Powell

Richard Mulligan

Wayne "Turnip" Parragella

Stuart Margolin

Maurice "Binky" Drundza

Maria Conchita Alonso

Claudia Pazzo

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

9%

38%

Crocodile Dundee II

0%

34%

Crackers

67%

47%

Three Men and a Baby

85%

80%

Things Change

94%

61%

The Freshman

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

It spins out of control like it was written by a latter-day Feydeau with hysterics. Here and there one can see authentic Edwards touches. But only with field glasses. The naked eye discerns nothing much at all.

Nov 3, 2021

Full Review

Ryan Murphy

Miami Herald

Unless you're a constipated horse or a lover of truly tasteless cinema, A Fine Mess is one you don't want to wander into.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 17, 2021

Full Review

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

... relies on shtick that ranges from the familiar ("Three Stooges"-style horseplay) to the prehistoric (as at an auction where Danson and Mandel sniff their armptis and unwittingly enter the bidding).

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

DVDTalk.com

Obviously inspired by the 1932 Laurel & Hardy short The Music Box, A Fine Mess represents director Blake Edwards at his most witless and desperate.

Rated: 1.5/5

Dec 22, 2005

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a thoroughly ludicrous but strangely enjoyable piece of work.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 26, 2005

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Sep 1, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

While at the racetrack, actor Spence (Ted Danson) overhears two mobsters plotting to fix a race by injecting a horse with steroids. When Spence and his friend Dennis (Howie Mandel) try to bet on the juiced horse, mob boss Tony Pazzo (Paul Sorvino) orders his goons to silence the duo forever. To make matters worse, Spence starts having an affair with Pazzo's wife, Claudia (Maria Conchita Alonso), and the police begin investigating recent events at the racetrack.

Director: Blake Edwards
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 1986, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 18, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.0M
Runtime: 1h 28m

Most Popular at Home Now