Tuesday 13th 2004f April 2004
« « Hellboy| Van Helsing » »The Ladykillers
In a way, this movie was an enjoyable experience, but only because it reminded me so strongly of better movies. It made me think about the original Ladykillers, which is one of my all time favourites, and of early Coen Brothers’ movies like Miller’s Crossing, another top twentier.
This movie is not as good as those movies. Not at all. Not to say that it’s not clever. The original story has been transposed to a strange, fictional southern town, complete with gospel singers and floating casinos. The original motley crew were diverse in the sense that they came from various classes and walks of life, and setting the movie in America has allowed the Coens to make them racially and culturally diverse as well. This should up the stakes in terms of allowing for even greater miscommunications and misunderstandings, but it actually has the opposite effect.
One of the great pleasures of the original is watching Alec Guiness’ Professor nimbly negotiate the myriad motivations and complications of his varied group. He knew how to communicate with them all, even Mrs. Wilberforce. Especially Mrs. Wilberforce. Tom Hanks’ professor doesn’t have this same enjoyable glibness. He’s easily the best thing about the movie – the most fun to be had here is in watching him deliver the fantastic dialogue the Coens have written for him – but he doesn’t tower above the other characters the way he needs to. He doesn’t have enough of their respect, enough of their fear. He’s a little too sympathetic.
And the supporting characters aren’t malicious enough, either. They all have their moments, but I missed the sheer misanthropy of Herbert Lom, the overwhelming spivviness of Peter Sellers. These guys are too lovable by far – it’s difficult to enjoy their deaths.
It just falls short all around. Their are good bits, but it compares badly to everything you might possibly want to compare it with. It’s not even as funny as Intolerable Cruelty.
I’m so upset – if the next Coen Brothers movie isn’t that good, it won’t even be a surprise anymore. How did this happen? At least you’re still not in danger of confusing them with anybody else. They have that going for them.
Comment ID: 50
At 4:53 am on Wednesday 14th 2004f April 2004, D felt the urge to writeI do hope you are wrong and have completely misjudged the film. I do not wish to contemplate the decline of the Coen brothers. How often have you been utterly wrong in the past? I despair.
Comment ID: 51
At 4:35 pm on Friday 16th 2004f April 2004, Anthony impartedDespair is indeed the only rational response.