Lost in America

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Lost in America

R

1985

1h 31m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

After being snubbed at his advertising job, Los Angeles yuppie David Howard (Albert Brooks) convinces his wife, Linda (Julie Hagerty), to quit her job and join him on a cross-country road trip. The two liquidate their assets and leave the West Coast in a Winnebago, intent on finding themselves and discovering America. But during a stop in Las Vegas, the couple loses their savings at a roulette wheel and begins to see that their idealized notion of the American experience is terribly misguided.

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Critics Consensus

A satire of the American fantasy of leaving it all behind, Lost in America features some of Albert Brooks' best, most consistent writing and cultural jabs.

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Neil Jillett

The Age (Australia)

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.

Apr 4, 2022

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Brooks, who wrote the script with Monica Johnson, is a highly original comedic spirit.

Oct 22, 2018

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Kirk Ellis

The Hollywood Reporter

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.

Mar 19, 2018

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

These narcissistic yuppies thinking that they’re actually doing something bold is an amusing critique of the privileged upper class fetishization of the “freedom” of being broke.

Rated: 9.5/10

Mar 25, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Lost in America is unquestionably Brooks' funniest, most cynical, yet most insightful film, and the height of his wincing scenarios about disenchanted creatives.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 14, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

There's a fantastic scene featuring a hilarious turn by director Garry Marshall.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 1, 2021

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 31 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

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Rob M

One of my favorite comedies of all time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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Mason M

An amazing film from Albert Brooks and a hilariously honest satire. Lost in America features Brooks's usual genius acting, directing and writing. The writing is the main highlight of this film, it smoothly goes across America and is entertaining every step of the way, with a genius ending.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

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Marc Z

This is a movie about a pre-midlife crisis. Albert Brooks and his wife are tired of their ordinary lives as white collar professionals. They are controlled and predictable and they long for more. When Brooks' career trajectory takes an unexpected turn he convinces his wife to do something bold and out of character. That bold move is to sell everything, quite their jobs, and travel the USA. Are they cut out for this lifestyle? Brooks is like a hardened Woody Allen. He is edgy and neurotic, but oddly likable in his quirky way. The strength of the film his interaction with Julie Haggerty. Gary Marshall is phenomenal as the Casino manager. This is memorable and has stood the test of time. Funny, but very thought provoking.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/17/23

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Alec B

A great assault on yuppie culture. I think the film could have afforded to be a bit longer, but that's a relatively minor complaint. Brooks and Hagerty are hilarious in this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Albert Brooks stars and directs along with Julie Hagerty they play a married couple both striving for change from their usual lifestyle; the husband, David is dying for a promotion at his ad agency, the wife, Linda hopes to move into a new house not having to do retail anymore problem is he doesn't get the job and ultimately gets fired scolding at his boss so the new plan now is to 'get lost' in the beauty of America during a road trip while driving in an RV they have no destination in mind, not a care in the world, no giant goals to think about Freaking love Albert Brooks and Julie Hagerty. Clever satire of the American dream dropping all worries and responsibilities. Could've used more destination hopping but the epilogue was quite funny. Lots of us want to see the true face of what the nation's made us being so confined and suffocated in our daily routines but there's always a chance to start over and go beyond it all.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/23

Full Review

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Albert Brooks

Director

Albert Brooks

David Howard

Julie Hagerty

Linda Howard

Michael Greene

Paul Dunn

Tom Tarpey

Brad Tooley

Garry Marshall

Casino Manager

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67%

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Synopsis

After being snubbed at his advertising job, Los Angeles yuppie David Howard (Albert Brooks) convinces his wife, Linda (Julie Hagerty), to quit her job and join him on a cross-country road trip. The two liquidate their assets and leave the West Coast in a Winnebago, intent on finding themselves and discovering America. But during a stop in Las Vegas, the couple loses their savings at a roulette wheel and begins to see that their idealized notion of the American experience is terribly misguided.

Director: Albert Brooks
Producer: Marty Katz
Screenwriter: Albert Brooks, Monica McGowan Johnson
Production Co: The Geffen Company, Marty Katz Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 8, 1985, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 31m

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