A struggling writer wants to kill his nagging mother while his creative writing teacher wants to get rid of her ex-husband. The two men come up with a plan to “throw Momma from the train” but things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Hijinks and hilarity ensue in this dark comedy.
Review
Have you ever seen the movie “Throw Momma from the Train”? If not, you’re in for a real treat! This dark comedy is a classic from the late 80s and stars Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal. Directed by DeVito himself, it’s a movie that’s full of laughs, thrills, and unexpected twists.
The film was released back in 1987 and was met with mixed reviews. But regardless of what critics thought, it quickly became a cult classic. And it’s not hard to see why – with its clever plot, talented cast, and hilarious dialogue, it’s a film that continues to resonate with audiences to this day.
So what is “Throw Momma from the Train” about? At its core, it’s a twisted take on Hitchcock’s “Strangers on a Train.” In this version of the story, DeVito plays Owen Lift – an aspiring writer struggling to finish his novel. He’s also constantly tormented by his overbearing mother (played by Anne Ramsey) who berates him at every turn.
Enter Billy Crystal’s character Larry Donner – Owen’s writing teacher who is also dealing with some major personal problems. The two men strike up a deal where Larry will murder Owen’s mother, and Owen will in turn kill Larry’s ex-wife. It sounds like the perfect crime… until things start to go awry.
One of the best things about “Throw Momma from the Train” is its cast. Danny DeVito is absolutely brilliant as Owen Lift – he plays the character with such sincerity and vulnerability that you can’t help but feel for him despite his questionable morals. Billy Crystal brings his signature wit and charm to the role of Larry Donner, making him instantly likable even though he’s supposed to be plotting murder.
But perhaps the standout performance in this movie belongs to Anne Ramsey as Mrs. Lift. She plays her character so well that you can’t help but despise her. From her constant complaints to her shrill voice, she’s a real piece of work.
Another thing that makes this movie so great is its dialogue. There are so many quotable lines in “Throw Momma from the Train” that it’s hard to pick just one. But some of the best moments come from Mrs. Lift – for example, when she declares “I’m gonna die soon anyway, so what difference does it make?” or when she screams at Owen to “shut up” in her signature screechy voice.
But as much as this film is full of laughs, there are also some genuinely thrilling moments. When the plot starts to unravel and Owen finds himself in over his head, you can feel your heart racing as you wonder how everything is going to turn out.
So why is “Throw Momma from the Train” such a beloved movie? Part of it has to do with its clever take on a classic story – but really, it’s all about the performances and the humor. It’s a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while still managing to be engaging and entertaining.
Of course, like any movie, “Throw Momma from the Train” has had its fair share of criticism over the years. Some have accused it of being too dark or not funny enough. But for those who appreciate dark humor and twisted plots, this is a film that delivers in spades.
And even though it was released over thirty years ago now, “Throw Momma from the Train” still holds up today. If you haven’t seen it yet (or if it’s been a while), do yourself a favor and give it a watch – you won’t be disappointed!
Technical Data
- Runtime : 88
- Release : 1987-12-11
- Genre : Comedy, Crime
- Cast : Danny DeVito as Owen / Ned ‘Little Ned’ Lift, Billy Crystal as Larry Donner, Kim Greist as Beth Ryan, Anne Ramsey as Mrs. Lift, Kate Mulgrew as Margaret
- Crew : Danny DeVito as Director, Vince Deadrick Jr. as Stunts, William A. Elliott as Art Direction, David Newman as Original Music Composer, Barry Sonnenfeld as Director of Photography
- Popularity 13.537
- Budget : $14,000,000
- Revenue : $57,915,972
- Company : Orion Pictures
- Summary : Larry Donner, an author with a cruel ex-wife, teaches a writing workshop in which one of his students, Owen, is fed up with his domineering mother. When Owen watches a Hitchcock classic that seems to mirror his own life, he decides to put the movie’s plot into action and offers to kill Larry’s ex-wife, if Larry promises to murder his mom. Before Larry gets a chance to react to the plan, it seems that Owen has already set things in motion.
- Tagline : Owen asked his friend, Larry, for a small favor…
