The Wrong Guy
The Wrong Guy is a 1997 Canadian black comedy film directed by David Steinberg, and starring Dave Foley, along with David Anthony Higgins, Jennifer Tilly, Colm Feore and Joe Flaherty. It was written by Foley, Higgins and Jay Kogen.
| The Wrong Guy | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | David Steinberg |
| Written by | Dave Foley David Anthony Higgins Jay Kogen |
| Produced by | Jon Slan Janet E. Cuddy Martin Walters |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | David A. Makin |
| Edited by | Christopher Cooper |
| Music by | Lawrence Shragge |
| Distributed by | Lions Gate Entertainment |
Release date | August 1, 1997 |
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Language | English |
The script was inspired by a sketch Foley wrote during his days with The Kids in the Hall.
Synopsis
Dorky executive Nelson Hibbert (Foley) gets passed over for a promotion after spending years angling for the job (including marrying one of his boss's daughters).[1] Upon hearing the decision, he ends up shouting "I swear I will kill you!" as security drags him from the board room. Later, when he goes to confront his boss (Kenneth Welsh), he finds that the man has already been murdered, and, due to the scene he made earlier, assumes that he will be mistaken for the murderer.[1] Nelson flees, unaware that security cameras have already revealed the identity of the true killer to the authorities. Nelson tries to escape to Mexico, but along the way he meets both the real killer (Feore) and the murder's investigator, Detective Arlen (Higgins), who Nelson believes is trailing him. It turns out that Ken Daly, who acquired the promotion, had the company president killed in order to gain the spot quickly. Chaotic events transpire and Nelson meets a narcoleptic farm girl (Tilly).[1] What follows is a bizarre series of misadventures marked with slapstick routines and constant one-liners.
Cast
- Dave Foley as Nelson Hibbert
- David Anthony Higgins as Detective Arlen
- Colm Feore as The Killer
- Jennifer Tilly as Lynn Holden
- Joe Flaherty as Fred Holden
- Dan Redican as Ken Daly
- Richard Chevolleau as Jimmy
- Alan Scarfe as Farmer Brown
- Kenneth Welsh as Mr. Nagel
- Enrico Colantoni as Creepy Guy
- Kevin McDonald as Motel Manager
- Jay Kogen as Bus Driver
- David Steinberg as Outpatient in Neck Brace
The members of Barenaked Ladies made cameos as singing policemen.
Release
Foley described The Wrong Guy as his best film.[1]
The film was released direct-to-video in the United States.[1]
Response
Awards
- Film Discovery Jury Award (U.S. Comedy Arts Festival) - Best Screenplay Dave Foley, David Anthony Higgins, Jay Kogen[2]
Critical response
In 2023, Barry Hertz of The Globe and Mail named the film as one of the 23 best Canadian comedy films ever made.[3]
References
- Rabin, Nathan (May 11, 2011). "Sad Sack Case File #188: The Wrong Guy". The A. V. Club. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- The Wrong Guy at IMDb
- Barry Hertz, "The 23 best Canadian comedies ever made". The Globe and Mail, June 28, 2023.