Ich liebe Dich zu Tode

A surprise hit....at least with me. I found this dark comedy hilarious in spots and so-so in others, but overall a funny movie. With comedy that's what happens anyway: some jokes connect; others don't. Most are pretty good in here but beware: some of the jokes are in poor taste, but that's a dark comedy for you. Also, some Catholics might be offended because the film takes some shots at them, or at least people who go overboard in rationalizing their sins, as Kevin Kline does in here.

There is an odd assortment of actors in here and they all contribute to the fun: Kline, Tracey Ullman, William Hurt, River Phoenix, Keannu Reeves, Joan Plowright and James Gammon.

Supposedly, this film was based on a real-life happening, which makes it all the more interesting and lending credence to the saying that "truth is stranger than fiction."

Plowright almost steals the show from Kline and Ullman, the husband-and-wife team who have problems because of Kline's persistent cheating on her. Plowright in Ullman's mother and has some of the best lines in the film as mother and daughter plot how to kill the immoral Kline.

Phoenis plays a young New Age devotee and Hurt and Reeves are funny as two totally stoned-out hit men. Hurt is particularly good.

This movie is so-so to start until Ullman finds her husband cheating. Then, after a heart-wrenching minute or so, she and her mother plot to kill the unfaithful spouse. The comedy then goes full out as they hire these really goofy hit men and things don't go smoothly. The ending is quite different and quite touching with a very good message....which is all I will say in case you haven't seen this.

This has got to be one of the great all time classics in a Dark Humor Comedy. Dark Humor, because of the ultimate theme in this movie which is to kill her cheatin man. Joan Plowright steels the show with her skills in her Yugoslavic dialect, and her uncanny talent to support other characters in the movie. She plays the live-in Mother of Tracy Ullmans charater, (Rosalie) who is married to Joey Boca, (played by Kevin Kline). Kline's performance is outstanding as would be expected, and Tracey Ullman never ceases to amaze me. Put that together with the late but very talented River Phoenix who plays the role of the busboy in the Boca's Pizza Parlor who is very in love with Rosalie; and you have one fine mix of fun, mayhem, and laughter, as they all take turns in trying to knock off Joey. But then if that wasn't enough, they then seek outside help, which only gets more funnier, as Keanu Reeves and William Hurt try to come to the aid, playing druged out druggies, who together make Dumb and Dumber look like Yale graduates. How this movie ends is the best of it all. I Love this Movie to Death...:-), well maybe not that much but try it you'll like/love it.

I'm not surprised that no one has commented on this movie because it didn't make much noise when it came, nor when it disappeared, but if you've got the chance do rent it, pleas do, it's a little jewel of a movie. The movie claims to be based on a true story and it probably is. Tracey Ullman plays the wife of a pizza man who decides to kill her husband when she finds out he's cheating on her. She's cheered on by her morbid Yugoslav mother and aided by her admirer, the new age bus boy at the pizza place. But everything goes wrong. The actors are excellent and Kevin Kline is SO funny as the macho Italian and River Phoenix is perfect as the love struck wannabe killer. I've seen the movie a couple of times and I always laugh until I fall off my bed when I see Keanu Reeves and William Hurt as the two cousins with one brain cell (together) who are called in to finish the husband off. It has to be seen! There is no glamour in this movie. People look completely real and they live in a house that looks totally normal, full of toys and ugly furniture. Don't be put off by the title. See it, you won't be disappointed.

Clever writing, able direction and a stellar cast make this film a modern classic that stands up to multiple viewings. Tracey Ullman and Joan Plowright star as Rosalie Boca and her mother Nadja, both so furious at the infidelity of Rosalie's husband Joey (Kevin Kline) that they decide to kill him. The ensuing misadventures are VERY funny, particularly the attempts by hired hit-men Harlan and Marlon James, not-too-bright cousins played by William Hurt and Keanu Reeves.

In spite of Kevin Kline's fractured Italian accent, this is one of the funniest movies ever. It is a true story. I've seen the couple interviewed on two television programs.....they are exactly as Kevin Kline and Tracy Ullman depicted them. I have shown this tape to guests and most recently to a large group of seniors. My popularity rate has moved up a notch or two because of choosing this movie. It's a "feel good and leave you laughing" story. Well worth a trip and a search at the video store.