The Ladykillers
Plot
The Ladykillers is a 2004 American black comedy film directed by the Coen brothers. The movie tells the story of Professor Gideon Paine (Tom Hanks), an eccentric and charming Southern professor who comes up with a plan to rob a casino in New Orleans. To execute his plan, Professor Paine assembles a group of misfits, each with their own unique skills, including a saxophonist named Big Gus (J.K. Simmons), a pianist named Major Robinson (John Polito), a clarinet player named Daxie (Ryan Hurst), and a trombonist named Nate (George Clooney). The group poses as a jazz band, renting a room from the sweet but sharp-tongued Mrs. Munson (Toni Collette) in a seemingly quiet neighborhood. As the band members move into the house, they begin to cause chaos and mayhem, much to Mrs. Munson's dismay. Despite her initial disapproval of their noise and antics, she becomes increasingly entangled in their schemes, inadvertently helping them with their plan while trying to foil it at the same time. The Ladykillers is a clever and witty film that pays homage to classic heist movies. The Coen brothers' trademark dark humor and quirky characters bring the story to life, making it a hilarious and entertaining ride. With its clever plot twists and memorable performances, The Ladykillers is a must-see for fans of comedy and caper films.
Reviews
Harmony
One. By. One. By one. (Adapting to the film's comedic rhythm and repetition/obsession theme)
Quinn
Rather than sentimental romance, I much prefer the Coen brothers' brand of black humor.
Valerie
Considering it won the Jury Prize, "The Ladykillers" is a typical Coen brothers' black comedy with their signature narrative style. It follows a straightforward heist story that veers into unexpected yet logical directions, a common Coen trope. However, it's one of their lesser-known and more mediocre works. The thieves' distinctive speech patterns are a unique comedic element, using verbose dialogue to define their characters. Overall, while it's a black comedy, it's not particularly outstanding.
Mark
It's decent enough, and I've seen the trailers on TV countless times. But strangely, I just couldn't find it funny while watching it. Then I found out it's a remake of the classic Ealing comedy.
Bonnie
Slightly boring. Not funny either. Worse than just watching random stuff...