The Man with Two Brains Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A brain surgeon’s love life gets complicated when he falls for a disembodied brain after marrying a gold digger, leading to a wacky search for a suitable body and a surprise cameo by Merv Griffin as a serial killer.

🍿 The Man with Two Brains: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Dr. Hfuhruhurr and Dolores

Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr, a brilliant but eccentric brain surgeon, is still mourning the loss of his wife. He accidentally runs over Dolores Benedict, a calculating gold digger, and saves her life using his revolutionary ‘cranial screw-top’ technique. During her recovery, Dolores seduces Michael, and they quickly marry.

A Honeymoon in Vienna and a Mad Scientist

The couple travels to Vienna for a medical conference. However, Dolores’s true nature as a cold and manipulative woman becomes increasingly apparent, leading to marital strife. Dr. Hfuhruhurr meets Dr. Alfred Necessiter, a mad scientist who preserves living brains in jars, and becomes fascinated by his work.

Love with a Brain

Dr. Hfuhruhurr discovers he can communicate telepathically with one of Dr. Necessiter’s brains, that of Anne Uumellmahaye. They fall in love, leading Michael to seek a body for Anne’s brain so they can be together. Dolores, learning of Michael’s inheritance, attempts to rekindle their relationship, leading to a confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr (Steve Martin): A brilliant but eccentric brain surgeon who falls in love with a brain in a jar after his marriage to a gold-digging woman goes awry.
• Dolores Benedict (Kathleen Turner): A seductive and ruthless gold digger who marries Dr. Hfuhruhurr for his money, leading to comedic conflict.
• Anne Uumellmahaye (Sissy Spacek): The telepathic brain in a jar with whom Dr. Hfuhruhurr falls in love, seeking a new body.
• Dr. Alfred Necessiter (David Warner): A quirky mad scientist who keeps brains alive in jars and helps Dr. Hfuhruhurr with his unusual love life.
• Elevator Killer (Merv Griffin): A notorious serial killer who uses window cleaner and has a surprising identity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr: “The only time we doctors should accept death is when it’s caused by our own incompetence.” – Dr. Hfuhruhurr expresses his strong views about a doctor’s responsibility towards life.
• Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr: “Into the mud, scum queen!” – Dr. Hfuhruhurr shouts this as he throws Dolores into a muddy puddle after discovering her treachery.
• Anne Uumellmahaye: “I don’t think there’s a girl floating in a jar anywhere who’s as happy as I am.” – Anne cheerfully expresses her contentment, despite her unusual circumstances as a brain in a jar.
• Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr: “Get that cat out of here!” – Dr. Hfuhruhurr exclaims this during a surgery scene when a cat wanders into the operating room.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: $10,353,438
• Worldwide Gross: $10,353,438

💥 The Man with Two Brains Reviews

Personal Review

I saw this movie as a kid and it blew my mind! The sheer absurdity of it all, Steve Martin at his wildest, and Kathleen Turner being the perfect evil seductress was amazing. The scene with the little girl giving medical advice always cracks me up. The elevator killer reveal is insane, and the whole concept of falling in love with a brain in a jar is just pure comedy gold. Every time I re-watch it, I still discover new jokes I missed before.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Steve Martin’s earlier comedies like ‘The Jerk'”
  • “Viewers who enjoy absurd and silly humor”
  • “Those who appreciate parodies of science fiction and horror films”
  • “People looking for a lighthearted and unconventional romantic comedy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Partial nudity”
  • “Profanity”
  • “Suggestive humor”
  • “Some violence”
  • “Themes that might be disturbing to some viewers (e.g., brain preservation, murder)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While the film’s humor is often broad and silly, Martin’s comedic timing and Turner’s icy portrayal of the femme fatale provide plenty of laughs. Reiner’s direction keeps the pace brisk, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of absurd comedy.
• The New York Times: “The movie has moments of inspired lunacy, but it’s ultimately uneven, relying too heavily on shock value. Some of the jokes haven’t aged well, but Martin’s performance remains a highlight.

Audience Reactions

The over-the-top humor and Steve Martin’s physical comedy made this a classic for many viewers.: Fans appreciate the movie’s unique blend of sci-fi and comedy, as well as the memorable lines and characters.

Overall Consensus: A cult classic comedy that some find hilarious and others find bizarre and dated, but Steve Martin’s performance and the film’s originality are generally praised.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Kathleen Turner has stated she took the role because it was a comedy and the character was outrageous, offering her a chance to do something extraordinary.”
• “The movie features a cameo by Merv Griffin as the ‘Elevator Killer,’ a surprising plot twist that adds to the film’s absurd humor.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Man with Two Brains?

As of today, the film is available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for potential streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Man with Two Brains, you might like these similar films:

• Young Frankenstein (1974): Both films are parodies of classic horror movies, using absurd humor and slapstick.
• Re-Animator (1985): A dark comedy with horror elements, dealing with mad scientists and reanimated corpses.
• All of Me (1984): Another Steve Martin comedy directed by Carl Reiner with a similar tone of wacky humor and physical comedy.
• Frankenhooker (1990): A horror-comedy film with a mad scientist theme.
• The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (1962): A low-budget horror film with similar themes of brains kept alive, serving as source material for parody.

🛒 The Man with Two Brains Related Products

• The Jerk (Blu-ray): Another hilarious Steve Martin movie. A simple-minded guy, born in poverty, leaves home to make a name for himself. Buy this to see a different side of Steve Martin.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Steve Martin as Dr. Hfuhruhurr: A stylized collectible vinyl figure, capturing Dr. Hfuhruhurr’s iconic look from the movie.
• The Man with Two Brains Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or comedy room.
• Steve Martin: A Life in Comedy: A biography exploring the life and career of Steve Martin, including his work in The Man with Two Brains.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Man with Two Brains features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Under the Bamboo Tree” – performed by Steve Martin and Sissy Spacek
• “Main Title” – performed by Joel Goldsmith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Man With Two Brains — just give me a sign

Ever wonder how Steve Martin would react to a sign from his deceased wife about his new love interest? This clip is hilarious and perfectly captures the movie’s quirky humor!

Steve Martin I like You (The Man with Two Brains)

Who knew Steve Martin could sing so charmingly? Check out this adorable song from the movie, it’s super catchy and will definitely put a smile on your face!

10 Things You Didn’t know About ManWithTwoBrains

Think you know everything about ‘The Man With Two Brains’? This video reveals some surprising and interesting facts that will make you appreciate the film even more. I learned a lot, and you probably will too!

Siskel & Ebert (1983) – The Man with Two Brains, Superman III, Trading Places, Psycho II

Want to know what the critics thought back in the day? Siskel & Ebert review ‘The Man With Two Brains’ and their takes are super interesting to compare with how we see the film now!

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