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» » Partner niedoskonaly (1996)

Short summary

Martha is a single woman working at a television talk show. When her younger sister gets married, everyone's wondering when Martha is going to meet Mr. Right and tie the knot. When by chance, Martha meets a handsome stranger named Whitman, the two fall madly in love with each other. But soon Martha discovers little quirks in Whitman... little quirks that become horrifying nightmares. But by the time Martha realizes that she must break up with him, it'll take more than subtle hints to make him go away -- she'll have to get into the most outrageous predicaments to rid herself of Mr. Wrong.

Lisa Kudrow tested for the role of Annie.

David Arquette, Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck and Noah Wyle tested for the minor role of Walter.

Ed McMahon tested for the role of Dick Braxton.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Longitude Temporary
    I just saw "Mr. Wrong" on cable TV, and it surpassed all my expectations. The movie boasts a pitch-perfect cast, great gags, and genuine heart. I defy anyone not to at least smile when the children's chorus launches into "I Want to Know What Love Is" in Spanish. Please note: I'm not some shill for whoever sells the home video of "Mr. Wrong." Nor am I hopelessly devoid of taste: I know why movies like "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" are funny, and why movies like "North" suck. "Mr. Wrong" has been unjustly placed in the latter category. If you're willing to take a chance on an "ugly duckling" movie, make this the one.
  • comment
    • Author: Ffel
    Mr.Wrong has been unfairly reviewed. Designed as a vehicle for the considerable comic talents of Ellen Degeneres, this perhaps wasn't what many people were expected. Okay so its got a glossy sheen and typical 'madcap' comedy music but its tone is much darker than your average comedy.

    Ellen plays Martha, a single women who thinks shes found the man of her dreams in Whitman, played with creepy assurance, by Bill Pullman. After making the mistake of telling him to act like himself, it becomes clear that he is completely insane.

    He makes her shoplift, sends her endlessly random gifts, steals mexican kids for her and in the most uncomfortable scene of all, in an effort to show her how much he loves her, he breaks his finger for her.

    For some people this may sound more like the plot of a thriller and some critics did find the film a little distasteful but for black comedy fans, this is great fun. Degeneres is fantastic as the goofy heroine, providing most of the films laughs.

    The random humour of the film is what makes it really funny. Disgruntled ex Joan Cusack's attempts to strike back at Degeneres are great. 'Do you want gum in your hair?', 'Prepare to be consumed by ants!', 'Don't be nice to her! Pull her hair!'

    It may not be to everyone's tastes but this is a real comedy gem.
  • comment
    • Author: Bele
    Martha (Ellen DeGeneres) is a single, thirty-something television producer who has had very bad luck in her relationships with men. Therefore, when she meets Whitman at the jukebox (Bill Pullman), a self-proclaimed investor-poet, she is smitten with his intelligence and his good looks. However, after a couple of dreamy days and nights, Whitman decides to reveal his "true self". He tells Martha he's going to take her on a fun date...they are going to go shoplifting. This is the just the beginning of the swell times ahead! Poor Martha! Will she never find true love? DeGeneres and Pullman display full-octane comedy in this film. The viewer can not help but laugh at their antics. And the supporting cast is such a dream, with Joan Cusack, Dean Stockwell, Joan Plowright and others! The script is humorous, the costumes are a pleasure, the San Diego setting is very nice, what more could one ask for? Please give this film a try, you'll like it!
  • comment
    • Author: Dead Samurai
    I would have to disagree with the overall rating of this movie- personally I loved it! It's so funny! I would definitely tell anyone that's interested in seeing it to do it and ignore the bad reviews of it- hey who know's you may end up loving it!!!
  • comment
    • Author: Chinon
    I wish Ellen made more movies. The talk show is cool but I think that she's wasting her talent. "Mr. Wrong" is a good case in point. Ellen is totally convincing in her role of a woman disappointed by, and still searching for, love. The casting was brilliant. Hope Davis, Bill Pullman, Joan Plowright, Dean Stockwell and Joan Cusack are an awesome ensemble. The premise of the movie is simple and straightforward enough to be believable but broad enough to allow for any number of crazy things to happen. Her character's job as a talk show producer is brilliant because it allows for cameos of all of Ellen's comic colleagues. It is also an old-fashion comedy in the tradition of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World, and all of the other 60's comedies showcasing stand-up acts like Martin & Lewis, Bob Hope, etc. This movie was a lot of fun and I've seen it quite a few times.
  • comment
    • Author: Stan
    I guess you have to have lived through this kind of stuff to get the outrageous humor! Terrifically done - Bill Pullman is hilarious as is Degeneres...Joan Cusack and her sidekick were FUNNY and Walter a perfect fit. If you have pretty normal relationships forget it but if you have had to deal with some pretty weird partnerships - give it a try. I bought it because I enjoy watching it once in a while. My kids 11 and 13 loved it, too.
  • comment
    • Author: Conjukus
    Poor Ellen. She's finally getting some respect in Hollywood with excellent performances in such films as edTV, The Love Letter, etc, yet has to deal with having starred in this flop.

    Talent such as herself, Bill Pullman, Joan Cusack, Dean Stockwell, Ellen Cleghorne, and the sensational Joan Plowright is wasted in this turkey.

    I must admit however that it did start off promising - the typical single woman living in the shadow of recently married sister, meets nice guy, blah blah blah.. but went totally downhill soon afterwards. What caused Whitman (Pullman) to be such a hyperactive fool? And Joan Cusack and her feeb slave Bob? I love Joan, she's had some great roles (hence the 2 oscar noms) but not even her charismatic prowess can save this hairball. She has to deal with a brainless character who cuts couches and puts gum in Ellen's hair! Sheesh - and the Mexican kids?? Well, I laughed at that scene.. I found it to be quite racist also mind you.

    Unfunny, unoriginal and uninspired right up to the end wedding where Ellen is in rollerblades or something and Joan is sporting a rifle. Spare me the hyperbole and give me my ninety minutes back.

    2.5/10
  • comment
    • Author: Dalarin
    "Mr. Wrong" had to be written as a "black comedy", but unfortunately misses the mark by a wide margin. The main problem is that the film is not outrageous enough. Bill Pullman's character resorts to becoming a mean stalker after his rejection by Ellen DeGeneris. At this point the movie turns into nothing more than a glorified cartoon. In order for dark comedy to succeed, it can be outrageous, but not mean spirited. Killing perverts to finance their dream restaurant worked wonders in "Eating Raoul". Here, simply destroying someone's life, for one's own pleasure, is totally off-putting, and not funny. A big disappointment, and definitely not "black comedy". - MERK
  • comment
    • Author: Invissibale
    SPOILERS THROUGH:

    I watched this movie never having heard anything about it so I was able to decide for myself, without knowing anything about what it was going to be about. I'm not going to say there wasn't any comedy in this movie because there was. There were moments of total hilarity due to an hysterical Bill Pullman who was really in top comedic form. The problem is, when those moments were NOT happening the movie just wasn't very good. It was a great premise but there were a lot of things about the movie overall, that I did not enjoy.

    This movie was strongest in the beginning, where I thought it was going to be a movie similar to "Bridget Jones Diary". But I felt the movie went downhill fairly quickly. I guess this is what one would call a "black comedy" but as with many of this genre, I felt the movie was to focused on the meanness and not so much on the comedy. When Pullman's character first starts unraveling it's OK but after awhile it becomes a bit of overkill. The movie just becomes way to cruel, as more and more bad things happen to Ellen's character. That's the focus of the movie really, not the comedy. It's almost like the movie's seeing how many awful things can happen to Ellen'c character, and how much of her life can be destroyed etc etc. It didn't make me laugh, it made me a bit dazed and frankly I just wanted the movie to end.

    Throwing ants and gum on someone, and that person losing their job etc etc is not what I consider to be funny. The truly funny moments existed when Pullman was on screen because, as utterly annoying as his character came to be, he was hilarious. So yes there were a few moments where I laughed out loud.

    But those moments did not make the movie, for me, a great one. Another thing I didn't like was that the movie became way to over the top, a Virtual cornucopia of melodrama. Inga & Bob,rather then being funny, were a bit obnoxious. The whole wedding storyline was way to much. And the movie felt so LONG. I mean I know it wasn't but it FELT like it was.

    Ellen was very good as the lead though and Pullman, as mentioned was REALLY good and should probably have his own comedy television show. In a way I think I would have liked this better as a straight on comedy without the mean element or as a romance where Pullman's character did NOT change but stayed Normal. Or maybe even as a thriller or a film Noir. Basically I just felt this movie didn't work as a black comedy. I wouldn't consider this one of the worst movies ever made however. I would not recommend it either.
  • comment
    • Author: Haracetys
    OK, everybody HATED this film, and I would've hated it too, if it wasn't for my last love affair... A similar stuff happened to me as well, and in some very funny parts of the film I saw myself, trying to break up but not being heard... Awful situation, believe me! So, this film made me laugh at my life, actually... it's weird when you watch it, but oh well. If you're in a relationship like that, or have been in one, you'll probably enjoy it.
  • comment
    • Author: Mave
    This film lasted about 2 hours but had audience attention for about 15 minutes. They were not the first 15 minutes, but there were some interesting minutes. The actors did well. It was funny for a bit but dragged on too long. I would recommend this movie to rejected- feeling girls who want to feel more depressed than they already are.
  • comment
    • Author: DarK-LiGht
    It started out so slow but halfway through it became absolutely hilarious. Definitely a chick flick for fans of oddities like Titus! I have watched it several times and find it just as funny as the first time. I guess, like Titus (the tv show) , you have to have experienced it to see the humor. If you have ever had someone seem so right who turned out to be so persistent and WRONG you may enjoy Mr. Wrong.
  • comment
    • Author: Kieel
    Sure, it's not the best comedy you've ever seen. But it does not belong on the worst list either. DeGeneres is extremely talented with her natural humor that makes Mr. Wrong very original. I can't speak for everyone, but I personally identify with many of her reactions and behaviors.
  • comment
    • Author: Agalas
    This is possibly the worst movie ever made. It is at least the worst movie I've ever seen. Not only were most of the scenes unfunny, but they hurt me to watch them. "Dark Comedy" or not, this film belongs in the genre of "Bad Comedy."
  • comment
    • Author: bass
    It's quite horrible. Ellen DeGeneres has been one of my favorite comedians for a long time, but her first foray into feature films was quite a mind blowing experience and mostly in a negative way.

    It's not that there is anything wrong with the premise. DeGeneres plays a woman who's getting on in years and meets a seemingly perfect man, Whit played by Bill Pullman. He seems to be perfect until Martha (DeGeneres' character) makes the fatal mistake of telling him to be himself. What happens next: Martha discovers he's a complete lunatic.

    Everyone is terrible in this movie, even a seasoned pro like Dean Stockwell as a slimy private detective and by far the worst comedic performance of that year is performed by Joan Cusack as Whit's even more psychotic ex.

    If one can call it a redeeming quality, the film does spark some weird curiosity of how it all ends. However, the end is incomprehensible and totally unbelievable. It seems as if the writers just gave up and said: "Well, we can't make it any worse!" DeGeneres hasn't had a starring role since this disaster, although she had a fairly good supporting role in EdTV.

    What more can you say except this was a total misfire from everyone involved. Bob Goulet did however do a fairly good job of playing, Bob Goulet.
  • comment
    • Author: Fegelv
    Mr. Wrong is a little different as far as comedies go, but hey, so is Ellen. That's why we love her! So it may take a little open-mindedness to get into it at first but my advice is to trust in Ellen and stick with it. Perhaps Ellen is not for everyone and chances are that if you don't like her stand up or other stuff, then you will very likely not like this movie. However, it is one of my favorite comedies. I have seen it at least 5 times and will definitely see it again. This may be because there is really nothing else like it, it is very unique. It is very absurd and painfully real at times as far as the human tendency to misjudge others and pay a lot for this mistake. So you laugh and groan and generally admire Ellen's brilliance throughout. It is very reflective of Ellen's tendency to incorporate the many ironies of modern culture into her work and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. Bill Pulman and Joan Cusak are rib-splittingly funny in this too.
  • comment
    • Author: Bolv
    After a few no hitters, Martha meets whom she initially believes to be the 'man of her dreams.'

    Martha (played in understandably reserved fashion by talented Degeneres) is disappointed by the 'no hitters' and brushes them off diplomatically. After she meets the Pulman character, actress Degeneres should have taken over with her TV persona, and acted neurotically 'head over heels' in love with him, instead of the other way around. To anybody who's been in love (or heard tear-jerking/heart-wrenching stories from friends), they know that when your romantically inclined prayers are answered, you become a bit neurotic yourself. Like the TV character, more rambling chatter (Ellen does this best in the comedy world) would have been preferable to this inferior product which, to make my point, ended up bombing at the box-office.

    Ellen is an extremely talented comedienne, and Hollywood has overlooked better scripts, casting her in this film that can't make up its mind on whether it considers it a proper vehicle for her, or one for Pulman.

    Good Points: Welcome San Diego scenery shots; irritatingly-neurotic secretary always wanting to get the last word; overly optimistic coworker who dispenses congratulatory hugs; and the eccentric mother-in-law-to-be who loves playing charades (so much promise, but neither of these aformentioned points truly 'deliver').
  • comment
    • Author: Trex
    I sure didn't think this was one of the best movies I've ever seen, but I also never expected to find it on the all time 100 worst list either! Sure, Ellen and Bill weren't at their best, but hey, there were some good laughs here. Normally I wouldn't waste my time commenting on a mediocre movie, but I just don't think, with so many other truly BAD flicks to chose from, that this one is top 100 material, maybe I'm weird, sorry!
  • comment
    • Author: Zut
    Hello, my name is Pursy and I am 17 years old. I first saw this movie when I was around 10 years old. It was such an enjoyable experience. I love this movie. I think the actors are great in it and they definitely know how to make people laugh. I rented it often and when I finally saw it for sale at a store, I bought it. I watch it to this day and still laugh like I did when I first saw it. Yes, I will admit that it is a bit out there and I can definitely see why most people don't like the movie but when you look past all that and see the movie for what it really is, it's a great movie and it really hurts me to see such negative attitudes and comments about it. If I could thank any two people in this world, I would want to thank Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Pullman for making such a hysterical movie. Thanks You.
  • comment
    • Author: Kulalbine
    At the start, Martha is in a Mexican jail wearing a wedding dress. So right away you know this is not going to be an ordinary movie.

    A few months earlier, as she explains to the authorities, Martha was at her sister Annie's wedding. Her parents think Martha will be next to get married, as do about 30 other people. But Martha isn't seeing anyone.

    Martha works for the KSDG-TV program 'Daybreak San Diego', co-hosted by Dick and Nancy. Walter, one of her co-workers, Walter, is a possible romantic partner. But Martha meets Whitman when he selects the same song she wants on a jukebox. They fall for each other, and he meets her normal parents, and she meets his quirky mother and her maid Consuela. Whitman's family appears to have money, and he doesn't have to work but can afford all sorts of expensive gifts, even though all he does is write poetry.

    After a while, it becomes clear Whitman has a fun side that Martha is too uptight to appreciate. And things go downhill from there. Not only that, but Whitman's former girlfriend Inga is mentally unbalanced and very jealous. And she has a very large but friendly sidekick named Bob. Things get so bad Martha has to hire private detective Jack Tramonte.

    During the first half, I thought this was just going to be a standard romantic comedy. But the second half turned out to be anything but normal. Let's just say Martha appears to be the only sane person left, but not for long. Everyone else thinks she's crazy. And what happens would be quite unlikely in real life.

    I'm not crazy about Ellen DeGeneres, but let's face it. She has this irresistible perky quality about her that works very well here. Not Olsen twins perky, but pleasant. I can't stand Joan Cusack, but I think people might enjoy her demented portrayal of Inga.

    Most of the music was good. A lot of it came from the 40s and 50s or at least sounded like it (I know Queen recorded 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' around 1980). And Martha went to the opera. There was also Mexican-flavored music in some scenes. And a boys' choir sang 'I Want To Know What Love Is' by Foreigner, which sounds much better here than in the original version. Unfortunately, Whitman liked Foreigner, Toto, Boston and REO Speedwagon.

    This was a really good movie, once it really got going.
  • comment
    • Author: Kearanny
    I don't understand why people have such an issue with this film. It was well written for the genre that it was: dark romantic comedy. And noone could have played the part of Martha better than Ellen. She definitely gave it the hilarious boost it may have needed. It just wouldn't have been the same with someone else.

    Overall, the movie, to me, was cozy and wonderful. I loved it.

    I really hope to see Ellen do more comedic movies in the future. She's a gem.
  • comment
    • Author: AGAD
    Let me start by saying that the only reason I gave this movie a 2 was because Ellen is awesome.

    But really the movie itself deserves a 1, if not a 0. Let me address the defense that this is a "black comedy": Definition of black comedy: "Black comedy or dark comedy is a sub-genre of comedy and satire in which topics and events that are usually regarded as taboo, are treated in an unusually humorous or satirical manner while retaining their seriousness. The intent of black comedy, therefore, is often for the audience to experience both laughter and discomfort, sometimes even simultaneously."

    I did not at any point experience laughter during this movie, except while laughing at how terrible it is. Perhaps one could argue that the topic of stalking is the element of black comedy here, but in no way does this movie, with its "madcap" soundtrack and completely horrible script, "retain its seriousness."

    If you want a black comedy, then go watch "Death to Smoochy," or even better, Todd Solondz's brilliant "Happiness." Don't watch this dreck.

    Also, the scene where she is supposedly high on LSD (oft-named by this movie's necessarily idiotic supporters as one of it's funniest) is only funny because the filmmakers so clearly have no idea what it is like to be on hallucinogens.

    If you absolutely must watch this, get drunk during it so that at the end, it seems funny rather than infuriating that you just wasted two hours of your life.
  • comment
    • Author: fetish
    The script for this movie was OK, except for the last 15 minutes which were just horrible. I don't find Ellen funny, and her acting is far from diverse, she plays the same character in every project. Her and Bill Pullman were totally unbelievable as a couple. The fact that no one took her seriously when he was clearly stalking her was just asinine. She was such a whiny victim that I didn't feel sorry for her at all, fight back at least! Most of the other actors besides Ellen were pretty good, the script wasn't great, it wasn't very funny. Seems like this either needed to be a pure black comedy or a mainstream audience comedy, it tried to be both and succeeded at neither.
  • comment
    • Author: HelloBoB:D
    When I rented this I was expecting a funny, romantic movie and all I got was a long, long, long, boring story that not even Bill Pullman or Joan Cusack could make any better. The movie is full of scenes that will make you go "DUH", "YEWWW" and "I want my money back!". So, in case you're considering watching "Mr. Wrong", change your mind right now and forget about it. It's really not worth your time.
  • comment
    • Author: Xinetan
    I was incredibly unfortunate to have had the unbearable experience of sitting through this *thing*. To think that I was going to watch Sense & Sensibility but it came off a few days before. This is the worst movie I have ever seen. Honestly, I would've done better watching a blank screen. The audience in my theatre were trying desperately (you could hear them) to squeeze a laugh out of their mouths for the whole duration of the film. There were more laughs in Schindler's List - literally.
  • Cast overview, first billed only:
    Ellen DeGeneres Ellen DeGeneres - Martha Alston
    Bill Pullman Bill Pullman - Whitman Crawford
    Joan Cusack Joan Cusack - Inga Gunther
    Dean Stockwell Dean Stockwell - Jack Tramonte
    Joan Plowright Joan Plowright - Mrs. Crawford
    John Livingston John Livingston - Walter
    Robert Goulet Robert Goulet - Dick Braxton
    Ellen Cleghorne Ellen Cleghorne - Jane
    Hope Davis Hope Davis - Annie
    Brad William Henke Brad William Henke - Bob (as Brad Henke)
    Christine Cattell Christine Cattell - Nancy Culpepper
    Peter White Peter White - Mr. Alston
    Polly Holliday Polly Holliday - Mrs. Alston
    Briant Wells Briant Wells - Stuart
    Camille Saviola Camille Saviola - Consuela
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