Hurlyburly

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Hurlyburly

R

Released Dec 25, 1998

2h 2m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Eddie (Sean Penn) is a confused and reckless man with a group of equally problematic friends. His roommate, caustic and sleazy Mickey (Kevin Spacey), is sleeping with Eddie's love, Darlene (Robin Wright Penn), because he can. His buddy Phil (Chazz Palminteri) is prone to violent rages that worry Eddie. All of them ruminate on their lives while consuming drugs and alcohol. Another friend, Artie (Garry Shandling), eventually arrives with a young date (Anna Paquin) who is ready for a fun night.

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Critics Consensus

Though Hurly Burly offers a showcase of powerhouse performances from its leads, it's held back by a meandering narrative and verbose explorations of cynicism.

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Sean Penn gives another remarkable performance.

Apr 2, 2019

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Globe and Mail

Rated: 2/4

Mar 19, 2002

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Jonathan Lethem

Salon.com

Hurlyburly earns its keep, in the end, with writerly flash and dramatic virtuosity.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Marc S. Malkin

Out Magazine

Here's a stage play that should never have been given the big-screen treatment.

May 25, 2022

Full Review

Antonia Quirke

Independent on Sunday

All the time, you hear the wooden clunk of a theatre which still thinks that Eugene O'Neill is a great writer of natural dialogue.

Nov 28, 2017

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Rabe has streamlined the dialogue, sacrificing a lot of funny throwaway lines without lessening the script's burden on our patience.

Rated: C-

Sep 24, 2007

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Mikael H

Sean Penn is so fun to watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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Bahad j

This idea of the filmmaker made the movie more accessible to more people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

Bulgantamir B

It is a valuable film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

macattack1717

So amazing, top knotch 👏

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Let's go on an existential druggie trip with Sean Penn - said no one ever. Talented cast. Boggy script that's just a bunch of drug talk.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

this is one of my favorite underrated movies ever! not for everyone, but still an entertaining ride.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/19

Full Review

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Anthony Drazan

Director

Sean Penn

Eddie

Kevin Spacey

Mickey

Chazz Palminteri

Phil

Robin Wright

Darlene

Garry Shandling

Artie

Ringmaster

21%

18%

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Trees Lounge

81%

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Free Money

29%

30%

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52%

65%

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Synopsis

Eddie (Sean Penn) is a confused and reckless man with a group of equally problematic friends. His roommate, caustic and sleazy Mickey (Kevin Spacey), is sleeping with Eddie's love, Darlene (Robin Wright Penn), because he can. His buddy Phil (Chazz Palminteri) is prone to violent rages that worry Eddie. All of them ruminate on their lives while consuming drugs and alcohol. Another friend, Artie (Garry Shandling), eventually arrives with a young date (Anna Paquin) who is ready for a fun night.

Director: Anthony Drazan
Producer: Anthony Drazan, Richard N. Gladstein, David Hamburger
Screenwriter: David Rabe, David Rabe
Distributor: Fine Line Features
Production Co: Film Colony, Storm Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 30, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

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