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The Ladykillers | Year: 2004 Classification: Comedy Directed: - Ethan Coen - Joel Coen Actors/Actresses: - Tom Hanks - Irma P.Hall - J.K.Simmons - Tzi Ma - Ryan Hurst - Marlon Wayans - Irma P. Hall Lord shine a light on these poor sinners... I have to admit I'm a huge fan of the Coen brothers, so I naturally went into this movie with high expectations. And I have to say that, yet again, the Coen Brothers have come up with another excellent film. Who cares that this is a remake of some fifties movie, the Coen's create a version of the deep-south that is modern, and yet also timeless. The scenery is beautiful, and the dialogue is as crisp and brilliant as ever. A genuine highlight here is Tom Hanks, relishing his role as a bad guy for once, and turning in one of the best performances he's ever done. Irma P. Hall is also fantastic, mumbling and lumbering through the whole film like the proverbial unstoppable force. The rest of the thieves are a little stereotyped it's true, although what charming stereotypes they are. Law and Order's Dr Emil Skoda is an exception to this - a genuinely fresh character rarely seen in movies, but his role never really goes anywhere (until he begins to go everywhere...). A CLUMSY FEATHER IN THE COENS' OTHERWISE STRIKING CAP Despite a riveting central performance from Irma Hall, an invigorating gospel soundtrack, and a few situations that echo the Coens' better works (Fargo, Raising Arizona or even The Hudsucker Proxy), Ladykillers is a would-be wacky romp that never develops the comic energy it so desparately needs to take off. It's remake that, like most remakes, falls flat despite many of the Coen brothers' usual elements of occasionally funny blowhards, visual gags, inventive camera work and florid language (a lot of the swearing was absolutely unnecessary). In fact, the movie just plain drags in the middle of its 100 minutes. Tom Hanks is convincing as usual, but this is perhaps one of his oddest roles to date, a miscalculation from start to finish. One wonders what is becoming of the Coens, given other recent misfires such as Intolerable Cruelty. Skip this tripe, or rent it out when it's out there if you are a diehard Coens fan. So disappointing I expected this movie to display the same sense of humor as "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", but I was sorely disappointed. There are some funny moments, but Marlon Wayans' unnecessary profranity is so jarring, it disrupts the comedy before it can get started. The best scenes are the dialog-free establishing shots where you'll enjoy the excellent cinematography characteristic of the Coen brothers movies. Second best is Irma P Hall's performance. She's wonderful, especially in her solo scenes or those talking to the sheriff. You really wish the Coen's had thrown away the script, fired all of the "ladykillers" and just rewritten the movie around Irma and the Mississippi setting. Buy The Ladykillers at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Ladykillers Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Ladykillers This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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