Rating of
3/4
Raising Arizona review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 07/26/11
A story of a an ex-convict named H.I. McDunnough (wackily played by Nicolas Cage) and the police officer Edwina (zanily portrayed by Holly Hunter) who stole a baby from a rich family (Trey Wilson as the king of furniture tycoon Nathan Arizona) since they couldn’t create their own. The kidnapping of “Jr.” was gotten worse since 2 convicts who escaped namely Gale (John Goodman) and Evelle (William Forsythe) Snoats heard about the cash reward for returning the baby. The couple encounters many hurdles and adventures before realizing what they want from their marriage.
The film had its funny moments: Gale (John Goodman): “Everybody freeze. Everybody get down on the ground.” Old Man: “Well which is it young feller? You want me to freeze or get down on the ground? I mean to say If’n I freeze I can’t rightly drop and if’n I drop I’m gonna be in motion. I’m gonna be in motion.” This is one of the 1st films of the popular Coen brothers. The script was not as solid as their latter movies such as A Serious Man or Fargo, still it delivered some memorable lines. The brutally inhumane rogue man/baby hunter named Leonard: “Smalls. Leonard Smalls. My friends call me Lenny. But I got no friends.” H.I.: “Prison life is more structured than most men care for.” “Sometimes it’s a hard world for small things.” “Now y’all without sin can cast the first stone. But we thought it was unfair that some should have so many while others should have so few.” These reflect the pictures themes of redemption, friendship, planning your life, relationships and making the best of what you were given. The film reminded me of a more realistic Kung-Fu hustle, the road runner cartoonish characters, some of the humor was trite, some creatively written. I believe they have improved their style of storytelling throughout the years. This was one of the most unique, idealistic comedies created. Not a classic, but good enough to entertain and ponder about.
