STAR RATING: ***** Unmissable **** Very Good *** Okay ** You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead * Avoid At All Costs
Marva Munson (Irma P Hall) is an up-front elderly lady who has just been approached by a charming, well-spoken Southern gentleman named Professor GH Dorr (Tom Hanks) to rent space in her house. Little does she know that Dorr and his associates, in the guise of a musical band, are plotting to rob a casino and are using her basement as an operating lair. When she finds out, however, it becomes a desperate quest to kill her before she blabs to the authorities.
The Ladykillers is yet another Hollywood re-make of another old (and British!) movie that was before my, and no doubt many others, time. So you can't watch it and appreciate it fully without knowing the greatness of the original (I just can't wait for the day when I'm a bit older and I'll be able to point out how new films are nowhere near as good as the ones they were re-making from my day.) Or maybe you can.
It's an alright film on it's own. I can see how some might say Hanks was over-acting, hamming it up and generally being rather embarrassing, but to me he just about managed to be as adept (if not quite as great!) as he ever was. The supporting cast are very good too, them managing to be more funny than the more assured presence of Hanks in the lead role. It's a funny film in parts, and distinctly Coen brothers all the way. And it seems to follow the engaging 'we-all-fall-down' premise from Reservoir Dogs with regards to the elimination of the crooks.
So yeah,quite good. Not brilliant and no doubt far from the Coen brothers best work, but fairly pleasing all the same.***
Marva Munson (Irma P Hall) is an up-front elderly lady who has just been approached by a charming, well-spoken Southern gentleman named Professor GH Dorr (Tom Hanks) to rent space in her house. Little does she know that Dorr and his associates, in the guise of a musical band, are plotting to rob a casino and are using her basement as an operating lair. When she finds out, however, it becomes a desperate quest to kill her before she blabs to the authorities.
The Ladykillers is yet another Hollywood re-make of another old (and British!) movie that was before my, and no doubt many others, time. So you can't watch it and appreciate it fully without knowing the greatness of the original (I just can't wait for the day when I'm a bit older and I'll be able to point out how new films are nowhere near as good as the ones they were re-making from my day.) Or maybe you can.
It's an alright film on it's own. I can see how some might say Hanks was over-acting, hamming it up and generally being rather embarrassing, but to me he just about managed to be as adept (if not quite as great!) as he ever was. The supporting cast are very good too, them managing to be more funny than the more assured presence of Hanks in the lead role. It's a funny film in parts, and distinctly Coen brothers all the way. And it seems to follow the engaging 'we-all-fall-down' premise from Reservoir Dogs with regards to the elimination of the crooks.
So yeah,quite good. Not brilliant and no doubt far from the Coen brothers best work, but fairly pleasing all the same.***