The Ladykillers (2004) Movie Information:
| The Ladykillers (2004) Directed by: |
 Joel Cohen, Ethan Cohen |
| The Ladykillers (2004) Written by: |
| Joel Cohen, Ethan Cohen |
| The Ladykillers (2004) Cast: |
| Tom Hanks, Irma Hall, Marlon Wayans, Ryan Hurst, George Wallace, Stephen Root, Greg Grunberg, J Simmons, Jeremy Suarez |
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The Ladykillers (2004) Synopsis:
Goldthwait Higginson Dorr III is a charlatan professor who has assembled a gang of experts for the heist of the century. The thieves are experts in explosions, tunneling and muscle. The professor is their critical inside man. The base of operations is the root cellar of an unsuspecting, church-going, little old lady named Mrs. Munson. The ruse: the five need a place to practice their church music. The problem: it quickly becomes evident that Dorr's thieves lack the mental capacity to do the job. The bigger problem: they have seriously underestimated their upstairs host. When Mrs. Munson stumbles onto their plot and threatens to notify the authorities, the felonious five decide to 'do her in' before she ruins their heist. After all, how hard can it be to knock off an old lady? They'll soon find out.
The Ladykillers (2004) Movie Review:
Renting a room from an elderly, church-going widow called Mrs. Muson (Hall), Professor Goldthwait Higginson Dorr, Ph.D. (Hanks) enlightened his new landlady to the fact that he and his group of fellow artists would like to convene in her root-cellar to practice their church music. What he didn’t tell her was the fact that his was an elaborate rouse on their part and their nefarious plan was in fact to partake in a sophisticated heist that would relieve the local casino of a large amount of currency. The only slight hindrance to their audacious undertaking is Mrs. Munson’s curiosity.
Remaking an Ealing classic could be considered tantamount to blasphemy by many but in the hands of the illustrious Coen brothers your fears about The Ladykillers should be quickly abated.
More of an homage to the 1955 Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers classic, the film relocates the action from the fog ridden streets of post-war London to modern day Mississippi but keeps the heist and troublesome landlady of the original. The rest is pure Coen brothers filled with elaborate, larger than life characters and a certain kookiness that is their cinematic trademark.
Chief among this peculiar ensemble is Professor Goldthwait Higginson Dorr, Ph.D. played magnificently by Tom Hanks. The Oscar winning actor throws convention to the wind as he breathes life into a character and creates something really special. The Edgar Allan Poe loving gentleman who excels in the art of conversation is a joy to behold as Hanks relentlessly bombards you with classically quotable Coen Brother’s dialogue. Anyone who ever doubted Hanks’ substantial comedic talent should take note, as this powerhouse of hilarity adds more diversity to an already extensive range.
In what could be considered as a rather dubious choice by our esteemed directors, the rest of the ensemble isn’t filled with the usual Coen stalwarts Buscemi, Goodman or Turturro but this shouldn’t deter you from the enjoyment. JK Simmons is a character actor of great skill and he proves this again with his portrayal of Mr Pancake, the group’s explosive expert. His comedic timing is first rate as his character struggles with the gravity of the situation and his IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The Coen’s also do the impossible by making you think that Marlon Wayans can actually act. His Gawain MacSam, the inside man, is a typical “hippty-hop” character whose persona is all a sham as he true feelings are revealed in the final act. Tzi Ma is a character actor who you always recognise but can never put a name to. His role as The General, the tunnel expert, is extremely funny as this man of little words goes about his business with a clinical efficiency. Ryan Hurst is also good as Lump, the muscle of the team.
Almost stealing the show from the unbelievable Hanks is Irma P. Hall as gospel loving, inquisitive Mrs Munson. This is a character that you should have sympathy for, as she is the victim but because of Hall’s performance you can’t but help but route for the group’s dastardly scheme to succeed. This is a truly irritating character that you just have to despise.
While the Ladykillers isn’t as good as the Coen’s own originally scripted masterpieces, a below average film from them is still far better than most other mainstream fair. With an excellent ensemble and occasional laugh-out-loud moments, this is a heist movie that you cannot help but like as it steals your attention away.
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The Ladykillers (2004) review written by: Jamie Kelwick
