Bean (1997)

The bumbling Mr. Bean travels to America when he is given the responsibility of bringing a highly valuable painting to a Los Angeles museum.

Director:

Mel Smith

Writers:

Rowan Atkinson (characters), Richard Curtis (characters),

Stars:

Rowan Atkinson, Peter MacNicol, John Mills

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rowan Atkinson	...	Mr. Bean
Peter MacNicol	...	David Langley
John Mills	...	Chairman (as Sir John Mills)
Pamela Reed	...	Alison Langley
Harris Yulin	...	George Grierson
Burt Reynolds	...	General Newton
Larry Drake	...	Elmer
Danny Goldring	...	Security Buck
Johnny Galecki	...	Stingo Wheelie
Chris Ellis	...	Det. Butler
Andrew Lawrence	...	Kevin Langley
Peter Egan	...	Lord Walton
Peter Capaldi	...	Gareth
June Brown	...	Delilah
Peter James	...	Dr. Rosenblum

Storyline

Bean works as a caretaker at Britain's formidable Royal National Gallery, and his bosses want to fire him because he sleeps at work all the time, but can't because the chairman of the gallery's board defends him. They send him to USA, to the small Los Angeles art gallery instead, where he'll have to officiate at the opening of the greatest US picture ever (called "Whistler's Mother").

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Plot Keywords:

eccentric | whistler's mother | london england | los angeles california | miracle | 

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Taglines:

Once in a generation, a motion picture comes along that touches both our hearts and our souls. This is not one of them.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for moments of risque humor

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bean: The Movie

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$132,500,000 (Non-US) (31 October 1997)

Gross:

$45,298,656 (USA) (23 January 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Working Title Films, Tiger Aspect Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 85 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The producers were initially looking for an unknown actor to play General Newton. But being a fan of the TV series, Burt Reynolds asked for a role and was then cast to appear as Newton.

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Goofs

Several spoken references are made to the "Royal National Gallery" as well as the labeling of an exterior shot. It should have been referred to as the "National Gallery" since the gallery was founded by the state, not by royalty.

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Quotes

General Newton: I don't know the difference between Picasso and a car crash.

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Crazy Credits

After the in-credit Working Title Films logo, Bean appears on the screen: "Yes, I normally stay to the end as well," followed by some more remarks to the leaving audience.

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Connections

References Seinfeld (1990)

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Soundtracks

"I Love L.A."
Written and Performed by Randy Newman

User Reviews

Truly a underrated movie!

Bean: The Movie is without a shadow of a doubt, one best comedies of 1997. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) is working as a guard in the Royal Gallery of London. His employers, except for one, all hate him. They send him on a two-month sabbatical (to get rid of him for awhile) to present Whistler's Mother to the Grierson Art Gallery in Los Angeles. The only problem? They told the Grierson that he was a world-famous scholar! If you think Bean couldn't get into any more trouble than he does in the UK, wait till you see what he does in the movie!

Bean stays with the Langley family, all of whom I found annoying except for David (Peter MacNicol), Bean's new friend. Burt Reynolds even has a short cameo appearance as General Newton, a person who cares nothing for art personally.

Although he used some of his former gags, there is enough new ones that make the movie stand out. The movie did better overseas than in the U.S. due to moronic critics and bad advertising.

Bottom line, Bean: The Movie never got the credit it deserved over here. I would buy this movie on DVD or VHS, whichever you prefer. Also if you're a Bean fan, look for The Best Bits of Mr. Bean. It's a collection of Mr. Bean skits from his TV show!