"Mixed Nuts" does exactly what it says on the tin or at least in the title, with a mix of characters and comedy it is quite literally nuts. Maybe it's a little too nuts or in fact back in 1994 when it was released a bit too nuts because whilst it stars Steve Martin and a host of recognizable faces it's not one of Martin's most popular comedies, yet watching it now it strangely works. The thing about "Mixed Nuts" is that not only does it not feel like what you would expect from Steve Martin it doesn't feel like a Nora Ephron movie either and almost feels like it's been adapted from a stage play where characters enter and leave a solitary location, although to be honest there is more than one location to the movie. To put it simply it is strange, is disjointed and really doesn't have much of a storyline but curiously the curious collection of characters and circumstances end up being amusing.

It's Christmas time and the help line Philip (Steve Martin - Leap of Faith) runs expects to be busy but Philip has other things to contend with especially with building owner Stanley (Garry Shandling) planning to evict him and the business. But whilst Philip has that to worry about he also has a lot more to deal with from the angry Mrs. Munchnik (Madeline Kahn - An American Tail) who is fuming when she discovers she maybe out of the job whilst Chris (Liev Schreiber) a cross dresser shows up and takes a shine to him. Also taking a shine to him is Catherine (Rita Wilson) who works for the help line but Louie (Adam Sandler) who lives down stairs also has a fondness for her. And then there is Gracie (Juliette Lewis - Christmas Vacation) who is heavily pregnant and having a row with her partner Felix (Anthony LaPaglia) who shows up at the premises.

So I've mentioned that "Mixed Nuts" doesn't have much of a storyline and to be honest it isn't a lie as this is a comedy built on characters and quirky humour. As such whilst we get this set up of Philip running a rather inept phone help line and facing eviction from the building he runs it from that doesn't end up really being the story. Instead the story is all about the characters who come and go from that building be it the upset member of staff Mrs. Munchnik who seems unable to leave, first getting stuck in the elevator and then her car having a flat battery or the cross dresser who shows up in desperation for being different. Add to this a romantic love triangle, a pregnant woman and her problematic partner as well as a vet who ends up being called upon to treat an injured human.

Now all of this is very disjointed and really only comes together through the fact that many people show up at the phone line's premises. It gives it that feel of a single location stage play where people enter and exit a solitary room only to return later. There are other locations in "Mixed Nuts", there is a veterinary practice as well as the street by the beach which gives the movie it's nutty ending but for the most this is about one room and those who come and go.

It is very much the characters who come and go which provide the amusement especially Liev Schreiber as Chris a cross dresser. But they are an eclectic bunch of characters that really don't fit together from Steve Martin's harassed Philip as he desperately tries to keep things running through to Adam Sandler as simple minded tenant who fancies phone operator Catherine. If that sounds very strange and disjointed it's because it is because all of the characters are just strange yet amusing. Juliette Lewis as a pregnant woman is simple funny in her bossy way whilst Madeline Khan is amusing as the finickety Mrs. Munchnik.

I know I am repeating myself but the thing about "Mixed Nuts" is that it is very strange, it doesn't flow and doesn't really have a storyline even with the addition of everyone fearing a serial killer. And if you sat down to watch "Mixed Nuts" for a typical Steve Martin performance or for a coherent storyline you are going to be disappointed. But when viewed as a collection of curiously quirky characters and equally curious set of circumstances the craziness of it is fun. You may not get that Christmas tingle despite being set at Christmas but you do find the performances and characters amusing.

What this all boils down to is that "Mixed Nuts" is basically very mixed and very nuts and nothing like what you may expect from Steve Martin or director Nora Ephron. As such this not be Steve Martin at his best neither is it Nora Ephron at her best but the curious craziness of the characters and the comical circumstances is fun if watched as a collection of comical characters rather than as a movie with a story because that is one thing it is certainly lacking.