Meatballs (1979)

Meatballs (1979)
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Set at a low-end summer camp and aimed squarely at a teen audience, Meatballs is a light screwball comedy that turned its low-budget Canadian roots into a very profitable box-office run. The biggest reason for the film's success is Bill Murray who stars as Tripper, the head counselor who runs things at Camp Northstar with the help of his love interest Roxanne (Kate Lynch) and the camp's director Morty (Harvey Atkins), who is affectionately known as Mickey. Camp opens with Tripper and Morty preparing the misfit counselors-in-training -- Spaz, Fink, Crockett, A.L., Candace, Wendy, and Wheels among them -- for the arrival of their hyperactive little charges. After settling in, kids and counselors begin their activities with a soccer game in which depressed 11-year-old Rudy (Chris Makepeace) accidentally loses the game. Cast out by the other children, Rudy runs away only to come across Tripper, who befriends the boy and makes him his running partner. Romance, sexy fun, and comic hijinx -- usually with the heavy-sleeping Morty as their target -- lead up to an annual Olympiad in which Camp Northstar battles the wealthier and athletically superior residents of Camp Mohawk. The challenging events include cup stacking, potato-sack racing, and a nauseating hot dog-eating contest in which the portly Fink devours his way to victory. With the two-day event tied up, it comes down to the cross-country run, in which Tripper enters Rudy. Meatballs was the first major directorial effort by multi-talented filmmaker Ivan Reitman, whose name has since become synonymous with the comedy genre. ~ Patrick Legare, Rovi

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Starring:
Bill MurrayHarvey Atkin, (more)
Director(s):
Ivan Reitman
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
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Synopsis of Meatballs

Set at a low-end summer camp and aimed squarely at a teen audience, Meatballs is a light screwball comedy that turned its low-budget Canadian roots into a very profitable box-office run. The biggest reason for the film's success is Bill Murray who stars as Tripper, the head counselor who runs things at Camp Northstar with the help of his love interest Roxanne (Kate Lynch) and the camp's director Morty (Harvey Atkins), who is affectionately known as Mickey. Camp opens with Tripper and Morty preparing the misfit counselors-in-training -- Spaz, Fink, Crockett, A.L., Candace, Wendy, and Wheels among them -- for the arrival of their hyperactive little charges. After settling in, kids and counselors begin their activities with a soccer game in which depressed 11-year-old Rudy (Chris Makepeace) accidentally loses the game. Cast out by the other children, Rudy runs away only to come across Tripper, who befriends the boy and makes him his running partner. Romance, sexy fun, and comic hijinx -- usually with the heavy-sleeping Morty as their target -- lead up to an annual Olympiad in which Camp Northstar battles the wealthier and athletically superior residents of Camp Mohawk. The challenging events include cup stacking, potato-sack racing, and a nauseating hot dog-eating contest in which the portly Fink devours his way to victory. With the two-day event tied up, it comes down to the cross-country run, in which Tripper enters Rudy. Meatballs was the first major directorial effort by multi-talented filmmaker Ivan Reitman, whose name has since become synonymous with the comedy genre. ~ Patrick Legare, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
94 mins

Complete Cast of Meatballs


Director(s):
Ivan Reitman
Writer(s):
Len BlumJanis AllenHarold Ramis
Producer(s):
Andre LinkIvan ReitmanJohn Dunning
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Adult Humor, Questionable for Children, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Brief Nudity)
Categories:
Comedy
Meatballs Awards:
  • 1980 - Genie Awards - Golden Reel Award
  • 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Actress
  • 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Original Screenplay
  • 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Original Screenplay
  • 1980 - Genie Awards - Golden Reel Award
  • 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Original Screenplay
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Member Reviews
 
Colleen H.

Watched this as a child and has become a family favorite. My father always recites the HILARIOUS BIll Murray quotes. I have never ached to watch a movie, like I have with MeatBalls. Very Entertaining, Funny and Wacky. Kinda like Murray Himself. I could watch this every day. If you own this I would love to buy from you. xtaan5@yahoo.com

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Eric N.

I haven't watched this movie since it came out. Bill Murray is fantastic in almost every movie he's been in and this is a great example of his silly side coming through huge. This movie was made on the cusp of the eighties an showed the lighter side of mischief, while also looking at the crap you have to endure @ summer camp.

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Chris W.

Not quite as good as Caddyshack, Animal House and Blues Brothers, but not too far behind. I love this era of comedy and unfortunately nothing will ever beat it. Some definite classic scenes in this one.

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