
Volunteers
Seen it?1985 | 107 min | Comedy
Why it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (58% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 5.5 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved The Phoenician Scheme, start here.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 47 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
After graduating from Yale in 1962, womanizing Lawrence flees a gambling debt that his rich dad won't pay and takes his roomie's place as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Thai Golden Triangle with two other PCVs. Will he survive two years?
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
58% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
5.5 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$20 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 75K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.Sunday Safe BetAnother CIA comedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
The Phoenician SchemeSaturday SpecialAlso stars Tom Hanks, in another comedy, and a Saturday Special.
The LadykillersFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed comedy that fewer people know today.
GreedyMonday Morning MaybeAnother comedy. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Happy GilmoreWeeknight WatchAnother comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Nicholas Meyer
- Tom HanksLawrence Whatley Bourne III
- John CandyTom Tuttle
- Rita WilsonBeth Wexler
- Tim ThomersonJohn Reynolds
- Gedde WatanabeAt Toon
- George PlimptonLawrence Bourne Jr.
- Ernest HaradaChung Mee
- Allan ArbusAlbert Bardenaro
- Xander BerkeleyKent Sutcliffe
- Ji-Tu CumbukaCicero