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By
WAYNE KLEIN
Looking all the world like a
southern gentleman's version of Bugs Bunny crossed
with Colonel Saunders, Tom Hanks essays the star
role in the American remake of "The Ladykillers."
Hanks, with prominent buckteeth, plays Professor
Goldthwait Higgins Dorr, Ph.D. When widow Marva
Munson (Irma Hall) decides to rent out a room of
her home, Dorr arrives with bells on immediately
ready to move in, provided she has a basement
where he and his "band" (Marlon Wayans, J.K.
Simmons from "Spiderman," Ryan Hurst and Tzi Ma)
can practice their inspirational religious tunes
in. In reality, Dorr is a crafty criminal who
hopes to tunnel through to a near by casino and
break into their vault.
Slapstick humor abounds in "The Ladykillers" which
has much more in common with other comedies Joel
and Ethan Coen have made, like "Raising Arizona"
and "O Brother Where Art Thou?" than the dry humor
at the heart of "Fargo." "The Ladykillers" manages
that rare feat of entertaining the audience, the
Coens and the critics, all at the same time. While
it isn't a perfect comedy, it's very funny and,
not surprisingly, very quirky and well worth
renting for casual fans and buying for hardcore
fans. The Coen brothers continue their quest to
become the next Preston Sturges with this
marvelous remake.
If looks could kill, then the audience would be
dead after watching this marvelous transfer. A
sharp looking transfer with a brilliant
reproduction of cinematographer Roger Deakin's
crafty work, the detail throughout the film is
crisp and the colors vibrant. The soundtrack is
awash with a number of gospel tunes.
In terms of extras we get a special featurette on
Danny Ferrington, who is really the man behind
Dorr's band. There are also a number of cut music
scenes featuring some terrific gospel numbers. The
slap reel outtakes consisting almost entirely of
one scene (where Hanks gets the stuffing knocked
out of him by Hall) is a chuckle as well.
Unfortunately, we don't get any other extras,
especially anything with the Coens discussing why
they chose to remake "The Ladykillers." The Coens,
like Spielberg, remain mum on the subject of their
work. There's no commentary track involving the
brothers, cast or producers. I'm sure Hanks would
have been more than willing to contribute to this
aspect of the DVD. |
