The Ladykillers
Review by Clint Morris
 You
know that feeling you get when you're watching a friend walk
down the aisle with someone you believe mightn't have been
his or her finest choice?
Most will probably experience that same feeling watching
Tom Hank's latest, The Ladykillers.
Though a good film its own right, Hanks and the film don't
seem to be a great fit. Hanks' film choices of late are usually
as interesting as the films themselves, but in the case of
the Coen Brother's Ladykillers, interest lies mainly
with what attracted Hanks to the project.
Sure, it's mildly amusing, and yes it is well written, but
if anything it's a return to goofy 80's Hanks rather than
two-time Oscar Winner Hanks - and why on earth would he be
inclined to return to that?
What perhaps appealed to Hanks about the film was the original.
A zany, but scrupulously well-written comedy farce about a
team of con artists, led by the unforgettable Alex Guinness,
it truly was a jesting ahead of it's time. Unfortunately,
the Coen Brothers couldn't cut and paste that magic into the
2004 version.
The premise principally remains the same. Hanks plays a sneaky
academic who rents a room from an elderly woman (Hall) who
never suspects that her new tenant's associates - fellow members
of a make-believe musical ensemble - are instead using her
quiet domestic safe haven as HQ for a heist.
Of course she's ready to thwart whatever they've got going
anyway.
The characters in the remake are more cartoonish and peculiar
than those in the sly, shrewder original and proceedings feel
a little swollen here at the best of times.
Forgetting this is a Tom Hanks/Coen brother's movie seems
to work better for the film. There's a good bunch of support
talent, some nice cinematography and enough zest to see any
fledging eyelids make it to the last minute.
But yes, it is a pity Hanks didn't spend a bit more time
picking a riper berry off the tree. One for DVD.
3 out of 5
The Ladykillers
Australian release: Thursday August 19th
Cast: Tom Hanks, Marlon Wayans, Irma P.Hall, J.K Simmons,
Tzi Ma, Ryan Hurst.
Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen.
Website: Click
here.
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