Raising Arizona (1987)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Joel Coen

Writers:

Ethan Coen (written by) &
Joel Coen (written by)

Release Date:

13 March 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Mystery

Tagline:

A comedy beyond belief.

Plot:

When a childless couple of an ex-con and an ex-cop decide to help themselves to one of another family's quintupelets, their lives get more complicated than they anticipated.

Plot Keywords:

Baby | Arizona | Quintuplets | Police | Convenience Store

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Nicolas Cage	...	H.I. McDunnough
Holly Hunter	...	Edwina 'Ed' McDunnough
Trey Wilson	...	Nathan Arizona
John Goodman	...	Gale Snoats
William Forsythe	...	Evelle Snoats
Sam McMurray	...	Glen
Frances McDormand	...	Dot
Randall 'Tex' Cobb	...	Leonard Smalls
T.J. Kuhn	...	Nathan Arizona Jr. (as T.J. Kuhn Jr.)
Lynne Kitei	...	Florence Arizona
Peter Benedek	...	Prison Counselor
Charles 'Lew' Smith	...	Nice Old Grocery Man
Warren Keith	...	Younger FBI Agent
Henry Kendrick	...	Older FBI Agent
Sidney Dawson	...	Moses, Ear-Bending Cellmate

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:M | USA:PG-13 (Violence) | Brazil:12 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Sweden:15 | UK:12 (video rating: 2001) | UK:15 (original rating) | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Company:

Circle Films

Trivia:

The line, "Life is hard on the little things," used repeatedly in the film was originally spoken by Lillian Gish in The Night of the Hunter (1955) as she protects her children. In the accompanying scene an owl takes a young rabbit.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Gale and Evelle return back to get Nathan Jr., a DIP sign is clearly on the wrong side of the road.

Quotes:

[first lines]
H.I.: [voiceover] My name is H.I. McDonnaugh. Call me Hi.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 50 Films to See Before You Die (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Home On The Range

Cohen brothers comedy of great entertainment and fun

The picture concerns about a ex con(Nicolas Cage) who falls in love with a policewoman (Holly Hunter)which makes his picture each time he goes to prison.Both want sons but cannot have any. Then they decide to abduct one at a couple with five children.Meanwhile a ex convicts friends pair(John Goodman and William Forshyte) meddle themselves in their marriage life.Besides a bounty hunter(Randall Tex Cobb)called the lone biker of apocalypse sets off in pursuit of the protagonists for the obtaining the reward offered by the child's dad. The film blends irony,humor,tongue in check,chase scenes,slapstick and is very amused and entertained. It's a splendid comedy with set pieces cartoon where the action and humor is continued since the presentation until the finishing. Enthusiastic performances by the two stars,Nicolas Cage is perfectly cast and Holly Hunter is sympathetic and attractive.The movie has its moments here and there and is pretty enjoyable and bemused. Breathtaking cinematography is by Barry Sonnenfeld who makes a great camera work,after became in a famed director with many smash hits(Men in black).Excellent music is by Carter Burwell(Rob Roy),he's habitual musician of Cohen brothers films. Rating:High recommendation.Above average.Well worth watching.