Throw Momma from the Train (1987)
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.
- Danny DeVito
- Esther Vivante
- Joe Napolitano
- Stu Silver
- Patricia Highsmith
Rating: 6.2/10 by 559 users
Alternative Title:
Jogue a Mamãe do Trem - BR
Tira a mamá del tren - ES
Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 28 minutes
Budget: $14,000,000
Revenue: $57,915,972
Plot Keyword: writer's block, train, overbearing mother, ex-wife, aspiring writer, mystery writer, crime fiction writer, dominant mother, murder swap
A little all over the place, granted, but I still felt entertained by 'Throw Momma from the Train'. Danny DeVito stars in what is his theatrical directorial debut. I chose to watch this because of him being in it, as I want to watch more of his stuff, and he is the film's strongest element, I'd say. Billy Crystal is good too, him and DeVito work nicely together throughout. Anne Ramsey's character annoyed me a lot, I can't lie. I'm actually flabbergasted to read that the performance got Ramsey an Oscar nomination - 1987 must've been a slow year for Best Supporting Actress. No hate for Ramsey though, btw - happy for her! I know Momma is supposed to be annoying, but she's way too far along that particular scale for me. The aforementioned is my only complaint, however. It's a good time otherwise, even if I feel like it meanders here and there in setting up each part of the story. It's all worthy of your time, mind.
