Cracked Up Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Movie Overview: Cracked Up
| Movie | Cracked Up |
| Release Year | 1987 |
| Director | Karen Arthur |
| Genre | Drama / TV Movie |
| Runtime | 100 minutes (1h 40m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Cracked Up (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Cracked Up are led by James Wilder . The supporting cast, including Ed Asner and Raphael Sbarge , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Cracked Up stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Cracked Up has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Cracked Up
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1987, Cracked Up is a Drama, TV Movie film directed by Karen Arthur, written by Peter Lefcourt. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving James Wilder as John Owens.
Ending Explained: Cracked Up
Cracked Up Ending Explained: Directed by Karen Arthur, Cracked Up resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving James Wilder. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Cracked Up reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Cracked Up?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of James Wilder or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Cracked Up Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about Cracked Up age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Cracked Up (1987) is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Directed by Karen Arthur, the film runs for 100 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, Cracked Up is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cracked Up worth watching?
Cracked Up is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Cracked Up parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Cracked Up identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Cracked Up (1987)?
The runtime of Cracked Up (1987) is 100 minutes (approximately 1h 40m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
