Mad Dog Time Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of quirky mobsters wait for their possibly-still-crazy boss to get out of the asylum, mostly just standing around in nice clothes, having bizarre conversations, and occasionally shooting each other for reasons that seem symbolic or just plain weird.

🍿 Mad Dog Time: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Mob Boss Returns

Mob boss Vic is released from a mental institution, ready to reclaim control of his criminal empire. His absence has created a power vacuum, and many of his associates and rivals are unsure if he is truly sane or still capable of ruling.

Internal and External Threats

Vic’s most trusted associate, Mickey Holliday, has complicated matters by engaging in affairs with both Vic’s girlfriend, Grace Everly, and her sister, Rita Everly. Simultaneously, ambitious rivals like Jake Parker, Wacky Jacky Jackson, and Ben London see this as their opportunity to challenge Vic’s authority and take over his territory.

A World of Confrontation

The film unfolds in a bizarre, stylized world where disputes are frequently settled through quick-draw gun confrontations, often in unexpected settings. Mickey Holliday, known for his speed, finds himself navigating this dangerous landscape, caught between loyalty, survival, and his romantic entanglements.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Vic (Richard Dreyfuss): The unpredictable mob boss who returns from a mental institution to reclaim control amidst challenges from rivals.
• Mickey Holliday (Jeff Goldblum): Vic’s skilled and self-assured assistant who dangerously pursues affairs with both Vic’s girl and her sister.
• Rita Everly (Ellen Barkin): A sultry moll and sister to Vic’s girl, she is also entangled in a romance with Mickey Holliday.
• Ben London (Gabriel Byrne): A volatile rival mobster seeking to usurp Vic’s power upon his return.
• Jake Parker (Kyle MacLachlan): One of the smarmy rival gangsters plotting to take over the criminal empire from Vic.
• ‘Wacky’ Jacky Jackson (Burt Reynolds): A vicious rival mob boss challenging Vic’s authority and position.
• Sleepy Joe Carlisle (Henry Silva): Vic’s reliable and veteran right-hand man who remains loyal to the boss.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Vic: “Ben, go home. Pack your bags, and leave town… Ben, hop home, pack your bags, and leave town… Now, Ben, roll home, pack your bags, and leave town.” – Vic delivers this escalating command to Ben London after shooting him repeatedly, demonstrating his twisted sense of humor and power.
• Mickey Holliday: “Show me.” – Mickey often says this phrase, challenging rivals to prove their claims or make a move, highlighting his calm, confident, and deadly nature.
• Rita Everly: “Don’t you know that bullshit is the great equalizer?” – Rita makes this philosophical statement during a conversation with Mickey about the nature of truth and lies.
• Nick Falco: “My philosophy? To hell with every goddamn thing.” – Nicholas ‘Old Nick’ Falco succinctly states his nihilistic worldview.
• Mickey Holliday: “In the beginning, Vic’s world was like any other world… Until his world began to think it was the only world.” – The film opens with Mickey’s voiceover, setting the scene and introducing the unique, self-contained nature of their criminal reality.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $107,874
• Worldwide Gross: $107,874

💥 Mad Dog Time Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I heard this movie was super weird and divisive, and honestly, that’s what drew me in. I wasn’t quite sure what was happening half the time, but I couldn’t look away. It felt less like a traditional gangster movie and more like a play set in a mobster’s fever dream. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re looking for something truly bizarre with a killer cast, give it a shot. Watching Jeff Goldblum navigate this world with his signature cool swagger was a definite highlight. His ‘sit-down standoffs’ were strangely hypnotic and surprisingly tense. And Gabriel Byrne’s wild performance as Ben London was absolutely hilarious – his ‘My Way’ scene was something else! Yes, the plot is thin, the dialogue is often ridiculous, and it’s definitely not for everyone. But I dug the strange atmosphere, the over-the-top characters, and just seeing so many familiar faces doing something completely off the wall. I walked away thinking, ‘What the heck was that?’, but in a mostly good way. It’s a movie you watch just to see if you ‘get it’, and even if you don’t, it’s certainly memorable.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark or absurdist comedy”
  • “Viewers interested in ensemble casts featuring notable actors”
  • “Those who appreciate unconventional or stylized gangster films”
  • “Audiences looking for unique, polarizing cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (frequent stylized gun violence and deaths)”
  • “Mature themes (organized crime, infidelity, dark humor)”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• Synthesized from user reviews: “A polarizing crime drama/comedy that defies easy categorization. While some found its stylized dialogue and surreal atmosphere tedious and unfunny, others praised its unique take on the gangster genre. The all-star cast delivers performances ranging from brilliantly quirky to awkwardly miscast, highlighting the film’s experimental nature. Ultimately, it’s a film that prioritizes mood and character interactions over traditional plot, leaving audiences sharply divided on its success.
• Synthesized from user reviews: “Despite a truly impressive ensemble cast, ‘Trigger Happy’ struggles to coalesce its stylish visuals and stilted, pun-filled dialogue into a compelling narrative. Attempts at dark comedy often fall flat, and the repetitive ‘sit-down standoffs’ become tiresome. While some performances shine (particularly Jeff Goldblum and Gabriel Byrne), the overall experience feels like a rough draft, leaving many viewers questioning the point of it all.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were fascinated (or repelled) by the incredibly strange and stilted dialogue and the bizarre, often violent, character interactions.: Many praised the all-star cast, highlighting performances by Jeff Goldblum and Gabriel Byrne as standouts; they appreciated the unique, off-kilter style and dark humor, seeing it as a quirky gem or a tribute to older genres.

The film’s bizarre, non-traditional structure and perceived lack of cohesive plot left many confused or frustrated.: Conversely, a significant number found the movie boring, pointless, and a waste of its talented cast; they disliked the lack of plot, the awkward pacing, and the unsuccessful attempts at comedy, feeling it was self-indulgent or poorly executed.

Overall Consensus: Extremely divisive. Critics were generally negative, while audience reactions are sharply split between those who found it a unique, dark comedy masterpiece and those who considered it one of the worst films ever made.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was written and directed by Larry Bishop, the son of Rat Pack comedian Joey Bishop. Joey Bishop makes a brief cameo appearance in the film as Mr. Gottlieb, the mortician, whose character name and business name reference Joey Bishop’s real last name, Gottlieb. This was Joey Bishop’s final film role.”
• “Many reviewers and fans interpret the film as an allegory or a surreal exploration of the gangster genre, suggesting characters represent abstract ideas or even biblical figures.”
• “The film struggled significantly at the box office, grossing just over $100,000 against an estimated $8 million budget.”
• “The movie was released under two different titles: ‘Mad Dog Time’ in the United States and ‘Trigger Happy’ in the United Kingdom and other territories.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mad Dog Time?

While ‘Mad Dog Time’ (also known as ‘Trigger Happy’) may not be readily available on major subscription streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Max, or Disney+, it is typically available for rent or purchase through digital marketplaces. You can search for ‘Mad Dog Time’ or ‘Trigger Happy’ on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube Movies, and Vudu to find options for watching this film at home.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mad Dog Time, you might like these similar films:

• Get Shorty (1995): Features witty, self-aware dialogue, an ensemble cast of quirky characters navigating the criminal underworld, and a blend of crime and dark comedy elements similar to ‘Mad Dog Time’.
• Barton Fink (1991): Shares a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere where characters exist within a strange, heightened reality, and explores thematic layers beneath a genre facade.
• Pulp Fiction (1994): An iconic mid-90s ensemble crime film known for its distinctive, stylized dialogue and non-linear structure, which revolutionized the genre ‘Mad Dog Time’ both participates in and parodies.
• The Gentlemen (2019): A modern stylish crime film featuring a large ensemble cast, complex plots driven by witty dialogue, and a darkly comedic tone surrounding the criminal elite.
• The Big Lebowski (1998): A cult classic that blends crime, dark comedy, and quirky, memorable characters with a unique, offbeat tone, appealing to fans who appreciate ‘Mad Dog Time”s unconventional style.

🛒 Mad Dog Time Related Products

• Trigger Happy (Mad Dog Time) Blu-ray: Own the controversial film that features an all-star cast in a unique, surreal gangster story. Experience the bizarre dialogue and stylish visuals in high definition.
• Abstract Gangster Club Art Print: A stylized art print inspired by the film’s distinctive club sets and atmosphere, capturing the moody, art-deco influenced interiors where much of the action unfolds.
• Analyzing Mad Dog Time: Allegory and Absurdity in Larry Bishop’s Film: An in-depth eBook or physical book exploring the allegorical interpretations, philosophical underpinnings, and highly divisive reception suggested by some viewers and the film’s structure.
• Stylized Gangster ‘Quickdraw’ Card Game: A unique card game inspired by the movie’s unusual ‘sit-down’ duels and character interactions, focusing on bluffing, nerve, and quirky dialogue.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mad Dog Time features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I’ve Got the World on a String” – performed by Frank Sinatra
• “Main Title (Mad Dog Time)” – performed by Earl Rose
• “Club Lounge Scene” – performed by Earl Rose

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Best Of Jeff Goldblum | Compilation | MGM

Want to see more of the always charismatic Jeff Goldblum? This compilation from the studio includes some great snippets of his performances, including scenes right from ‘Mad Dog Time’ – it’s a fun look at his unique style!

✨ Rate