In a recent episode of Scriptnotes Craig Mazin mentioned the 2001 movie Rat Race, which reminded me that I haven’t watched it in about 20 years. So I corrected that the other evening.

It’s a totally wacky screwball comedy about greed, and you can’t find a subject much wackier than that—other than sex, of course.

Like a lot of the comedies that I enjoy, it doesn’t seem to be held in very high regard by either critics or the public. 

No matter, I laugh out loud every time I watch it.

I’ve seen some comments to the effect that it has a weak ending. I couldn’t disagree more. In fact I think the ending is especially strong and elevates it from a screwball to a feel-good comedy. It usually brings a tear to my eyes.

It was directed by Jerry Zucker of Airplane! fame, so he has some experience with wacky comedy.

I compiled a little sampler video, comprised of some scenes from the movie and some excerpts from the “Making of” feature, to help give you an idea of what it’s like.

Like any comedy though, it is probably best viewed in a group setting if that is at all possible.