The Stupids

The Stupids is a 1996 American family sitcom film directed by John Landis. The movie stars Tom Arnold, Jessica Lundy, and Bug Hall, among others. The plot revolves around the Dumbrowski family, a loving but utterly inept family of lovable simpletons. Harry Dumbrowski (played by Tom Arnold) is a well-meaning but dim-witted husband and father. He lives with his wife Kate (played by Jessica Lundy) and their three kids: Ernie (played by Billy Barty), Ida (played by Brittany Ashton Holmes), and Jimmy (played by Bug Hall). The story begins on a typical day in the lives of the Dumbrowskis. Harry is determined to solve the mystery of their missing garbage, which he is convinced was stolen from their trash cans. Kate tries to intervene and calm Harry down, but her efforts only lead to more chaos as Harry goes on a mission to track down the perpetrators. Along the way, Harry and his family stumble upon an unsuspecting arms dealer, Mr. Big, played by Dan Aykroyd, who is involved in an illegal weapons trade. As the Dumbrowskis follow the trail of clues, they become embroiled in Mr. Big's operation. Harry's ineptitude leads him to inadvertently foreshadow and thwart some of Mr. Big's illegal activities, which only adds to the complications. Harry's antics cause chaos throughout the town, attracting the attention of the police and eventually putting them directly in the line of fire. Meanwhile, Kate tries to manage the household and keep her family from getting into any further trouble. Despite her best efforts, Harry's antics and the increasing presence of the police make it difficult for Kate to maintain any semblance of order. The Dumbrowski children, Ernie, Ida, and Jimmy, enjoy the excitement and confusion that their family's antics bring, often participating in the chaos and further adding to the mayhem. As the story unfolds, Harry and Mr. Big find themselves facing off in a series of misadventures, which become increasingly intense and absurd. Harry's determination to solve the mystery of their stolen garbage leads him to uncover a sinister plot, and he eventually becomes a thorn in the side of Mr. Big's operation. However, the Dumbrowskis' ineptitude and the increasing complexity of their situation lead to numerous setbacks and mishaps. They inadvertently foil Mr. Big's plans at every turn, often creating more problems than they solve and leading the authorities to take notice. The film reaches a climax as Harry and Mr. Big engage in an absurd standoff, with the Dumbrowskis' antics causing chaos and confusion throughout the town. The police become increasingly frustrated as they try to untangle the mess left by the Dumbrowskis. In the end, Harry manages to defeat Mr. Big in a series of absurd confrontations, and the police finally arrest the arms dealer. The film concludes with the Dumbrowskis learning a lesson about the importance of teamwork and cooperation. Harry's antics are finally brought to an end, and the household is restored to some semblance of order. However, as the credits roll, it becomes clear that the Dumbrowskis' ineptitude and chaotic lifestyle are far from over. The final shot of the film shows the family returning home, ready to embark on their next misadventure, leaving the audience wondering what other absurd and chaotic events lie in store for them. While The Stupids was met with mixed reviews upon its release, it has since become a cult classic for its offbeat humor, absurd characters, and the antics of the lovable yet bumbling Dumbrowski family. The film showcases John Landis' signature style and wit, blending elements of family comedy and absurd humor to create a unique viewing experience.