Raising Arizona (1987)

Nicolas Cage Film Fest Movie #3 (my apologies – new reviews are on the way!)

Synopsis: Hilarity ensues when childless hayseed couple um... snatches a baby?!?!

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “NICOLAS CAGE, HOLLY HUNTER and JOHN GOODMAN star in Ethan and Joel Coen’s acclaimed screwball love story filled with mad chases, unexpected plot twists and wild pyrotechnics.”

What Did I Learn?: It’s not exactly a good idea to carry hand grenades on your leather jacket if you frequently engage in close-quarters hand-to-hand combat. 2) When your boss suggests swapping wives, your best response is to say: “we’ll think about it”, rather than to beat him senseless.

You Might Like This Movie If: You’re in the mood to raise an Arizona.

Really?: Raising Arizona is a slightly-surreal Coen Brothers comedy, and therefore isn’t meant to be taken too seriously, but come on… what’s with all the deep-South accents? This movie takes place in Arizona, not Georgia. 

Rating: Raising Arizona is an often-funny film featuring over-the-top performances from Cage and Hunter. It’s an entertaining comedy that nevertheless suffers from the same problem as WakingUp in Reno: since the characters are portrayed as southern-fried caricatures akin to Brent Spiner’s occasional appearances on Night Court, it’s difficult to either identify with them, or take them seriously. Raising Arizona certainly has its moments, but it’s not one of the Coen Brothers’ better movies. 7/10 stars.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093822/