Cracking Up (1983 film)

Cracking Up, also known as "Smorgasbord," is a 1983 American comedy film directed by Jerry Lewis. Lewis also stars in the film, playing Warren Nefron, an accident-prone and socially awkward pharmacist's assistant who travels the world in an attempt to overcome his severe hypochondria and suicidal tendencies. The film utilizes a series of loosely connected vignettes and slapstick routines showcasing Nefron's misadventures and penchant for causing chaos wherever he goes. Critics widely panned the film upon its release, citing its reliance on broad humor and perceived lack of narrative cohesion. It is considered one of Lewis's less successful directorial efforts and a box-office disappointment. The supporting cast includes Herbert Lom and Milton Berle, who appear in cameo roles. The film explores themes of loneliness, anxiety, and the search for happiness, albeit through the lens of exaggerated physical comedy.