Nothing but Trouble

Nothing but Trouble is a 1991 American comedy film directed by and starring Dan Aykroyd, who also penned the screenplay. The film includes an ensemble cast featuring Chevy Chase, Demi Moore, and John Candy, among others. While critics were not favorable towards the film upon its release, it has since gained a cult following due to its distinct blend of horror, humor, and adventure.

The storyline revolves around a wealthy businessman from New York City, Chris Thorne (Chevy Chase), who ends up in a nightmarish version of small-town America while driving with his new client, Diane Lightson (Demi Moore). The fun begins when their high-end BMW gets pulled over for a minor traffic violation in the town of Valkenvania, a forgotten patch of rural America located off the New Jersey Turnpike.

Valkenvania is no ordinary town. The eccentric and terrifying Judge Alvin Valkenheiser (Dan Aykroyd), who is also the town’s police force, mayor and probably everything else, presides over the so-called legal system. He runs the grim and crumbling mansion, colloquially known as the "junk yard," where he holds court and haphazardly punishes anyone who crosses him. The mansion is filled with a combination of dark humor and frightful aspects, which remind one of a decrepit old-world funhouse filled with surreal booby traps and bizarre characters.

John Candy plays a dual role in the film as both Dennis, the local cop with a heart of gold, and his sister Eldona who develops a sweet compliance towards Chris Thorne. Dennis seems to be the only individual who shows a shred of kindness and normality in the otherwise uncanny realm of Judge Alvin Valkenheiser. Besides the main trio, the ensemble cast of characters introduces us to peculiar personas, including but not limited to, a pair of terrifying infantile twins, a pair of roller-blading motorheads and a brutal, obese junk eating machine known as Mr. Bonestripper.

The film showcases Aykroyd's distinctively quirky imagination with its humongous, almost labyrinthine, sets filled with strange contraptions and gadgets. The unique set design of the movie incorporates elements of the horror genre, emphasizing a certain creepiness that goes hand in hand with the slapstick comedy throughout the film. The film is extravagant in its grandiose style, which has since attracted a certain audience that appreciates its blend of humor and horror.

Chevy Chase delivers his trademark smug charm as the reluctant hero Chris Thorne, portraying typical city-slicker arrogance with confident ease. Demi Moore, as a dedicated environmental lawyer, is more than just a damsel in distress, bringing a flair of badassery to her role. John Candy, showcasing the breadth of his comic prowess, is heartwarming in his multiple roles. And then, there’s Dan Aykroyd, brilliant as the ghoulish, macabre Judge who is fixated on his own perverse sense of justice.

Aykroyd's gem, Nothing but Trouble, is an experience like none other, combining comedy, surreal horror, and adventure into a rollercoaster ride of absurdity. It may stretch the boundaries of one's appreciation for eccentricity, but it’s a cinematic oddity that is undeniably intriguing and thought-provoking. It is a film you cannot ignore, purely for the sheer audacity of the ideas presented and the bizarre universe it unfolds.

This movie is best suited for viewers who want a distinctive visual and narrative treat that defies typical genre classifications. While not an immediate commercial or critical success, Nothing but Trouble has eclipsed its initial obscure status to enthrall a dedicated cult following that adores it for the unconventional masterpiece it is.