Directed By: Lawrence Kasdan
Written By: John Kostmayer
Cinematography By: Owen Roizman
Editor: Anne V. Coates
Cast: Kevin Kline, Tracy Ullman, Joan Plowright, William Hurt, River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Heather Graham, James Gammon, Victoria Jackson, Miriam Margolyes, Alisan Porter, Jon Kasdan, Michelle Joyner, Shiri Appleby, Kathleen York
Joey works with Rosalie in their pizza parlor. She is convinced that he works all of the time for them and her world dissolves when she finds that he has been fooling around for years. Being Catholic, divorce is out of the question, so she and her mother and her best friend decide to kill him. Hopelessly incompetent as killers, they hire incompetent professionals as they beat, poison, and shoot Joey who remains oblivious to their attempts.
Loosely based on the true story of Frances Toto and her four unsuccessful attempts to kill her cheating husband, Anthony Toto, in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1984. Anthony spent four days in bed after being drugged and shot by Frances and her friends; who spent four years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder. The Turner Classic Movies website states that the film's " . . . story was inspired by events in the lives of Anthony and Frances Toto and Barry Giacobe"
This films tone is all over the place which leaves most of the film feeling awkward. It’s high concept, but seems aimed at a more working class type of crowd. Especially as the film isn’t directed as a comedy and seems intentionally filmed dark to more seem like a chamber piece. This was the only film that John Kostmeyer either wrote or produced.
Based on a true story the film seems to play more as a more sitcomish look at the story with a well known cast. That has them playing out of their usual range.
The film could have easily been the basis of for an episode of the television show SNAPPED about women who for various reason in relationships just snapped and killed their partners. This just feels like one where the plan fails and has more comedy and depth with no interviews.
At times the film is a ridiculous comedy that feels dramatic in those scenes. But then has dramatic scenes that feel more comedic than anything.
The ensemble cast is so random that it and the situations they find themselves in are what keep the film entertaining and fascinating. Considering the talent this film should be much better.
As the story feels familiar and more common around that time when it was more of a basis of most tabloid television shows at the times as they had not as much access to the stars whose scandals they preyed on. They would have these human interest or ripped from the headline tapes that had so many interesting details that they kept the audience interested In the films the characters are supposed to be realistic but feel more the invention of a writer with their characteristics and actions. Though they keep the film and story moving. So that we become more infactuated with them rather than the situation.
This seemed like this was going to be the film that was supposed to be Tracy Ullman's big break in feature films and here it seems she more has the most dramatic role and performance. Here we see what drives her to her decision even as we see why she loves him. Though we wonder why as he barely treats her the best. We see his charm but it is usually when it comes to seducing other ladies.
Where as the actors most known for drama are the more ridiculous and comedic.
Even Kevin Kline's character who is believable almost seems to speak more like a cartoon stereotype version of an Italian character, but he is up for the challenge and fun.
Joan Plowright just goes for the ridiculous like a more vengeful Estelle Getty character of Sophia on THE GOLDEN GIRLS. As she seem more like a godmother type character more than anything else. As she always has violence and vengeance on her mind. This was also one of my fist times seeing her in a film. Over the years I have actually seen more of her comedic work rather then her dramatic work of which she is usually more noted
The most memorable characters are played by River Phoenix playing close to what he seemed to be in life a bohemian romantic. Plus Keanu Reeves and William hurt as would be drug addicted hitmen. Who always seem either lost, stupid or confused but are constantly hilarious. All seem to be believable and like they crested their roles more than what might have been written.
As I much as the move is entertaining I just wish it was better or that there was a way to put all these characters and actors in a better overall film. As this film plays more like an oddity. Where the cast seems to have been attracted by the script and the other actors. Even if the script leaves more for then to play and little for the Audience to enjoy.
Maybe as this film seems more like it is late. It seems like it would have been a better dark comedy from the 70's that would be more about character than plot. At least that seems to be the vibe the movie is going for, but it always seems to be off rhythm.
First film that Lawrence Kasdan directed, that he didn't write. Kasdan said: "The screenplay made me laugh out loud when I read it, but l was also taken with the emotional level of the piece. There is something very touching, almost sweet about it, even though it's a very dark story, and people do terrible things in it. You understand them all, and they're not evil people."
Though I had moments that are memorable they only make sense within the rest of the story.
What also makes the film hard to swallow is that n matter the actions all the characters are likable for the most part that you never want to see anything bad happen to them.
Not filmed with the pizaz or energy of a comedy. Which helps to throw the audience off never knowing quite what mood the film is or even where scenes are going. It is also filmed quite darkly it seems to magnify the dingy and small claustrophobic house that half the movie take place in. This was also one of the few films where the director noted screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan. Didn't write the script nor produce the film. Making it seem more like a for hire job. That doesn't have the same magic and logical tone of some of his other films. Here it comes off as funny but turns on a fine to drama so quickly before you can really even laugh
It's worth watching as more of an oddity where everyone involved seems earnest. It's just that the finished product is something quite curious where nothing quite catches on. Though it's not from lack of trying or effort.
This is a film I think that is better appreciated looking back on it. Where as at the time feels more like a tabloid as it has a ripped from the headlines type of appeal. Only filled with respected actors all doing character work, but overall making the film more comedic
It might just be that the film trusts the audience too much or the film is made for a certain type of audience but was exposed to a bigger one than expected due to the cast.
Grade: C+
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