Funny Bones – 1995 | 128 mins | Comedy, Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Whimsical offbeat drama containing several quirky sub-plots about an overshadowed comedians sentimental journey to the seaside resort of Blackpool, and the family secrets he uncovers. There’s a notable performance from the manic Lee Evans who inevitably steals the show juxtaposing moments of pure slapstick and dark tragedy in his portrayal of the unbalanced Jack Parker. Sadly, post-production editing meddles with the films structure and results in a disorienting subplot involving dead Frenchman’s feet. Not a film that you would classify as a comedy, but a poignant family curio you’ll reap more from with repeated viewings.

Tommy Fawkes (Oliver Platt), a failed American stand-up comic who bombs on his opening night at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, travels in search of inspiration to his childhood roots in Blackpool, where he spent many summers as his successful father, George Fawkes (Jerry Lewis) carved out a career. Tommy is determined to pursue a career as a stand-up, and begins auditioning local acts for a new comedy routine. He meets the hilarious vaudeville team, the Parker Brothers, and recognising their act, soon realizes his father stole their routine years ago. He also discovers from their mother, Katie (Leslie Caron), that the seemingly eccentric Jack Parker (Lee Evans) is actually Tommy’s illegitimate half-brother, the product of a fling years earlier.