There Goes the Neighborhood

Prison psychologist Willis Embry (Jeff Daniels) is told by dying inmate Tricks about a hidden mob loot. Lyle Corrente (Chazz Palminteri) overhears the conversation and escapes with Handsome Harry (Jonathan Banks) and Marvin Boyd (Harris Yulin). They almost kill Willis. The three criminals take over the home of the Rutledges (Hector Elizondo, Judith Ivey). Willis convinces divorcee Jessie Lodge (Catherine O'Hara) to dig in her basement. Their married suburban neighbors Lydia Nunn (Rhea Perlman) and Jeffrey Babitt (Dabney Coleman) start to notice the commotion.

This is a great diverse cast. There are some good comedic actors but the laughs are limited. While it's not overtly awful, it does fall flat for the most part. Writer/director Bill Phillips struggles to put together some traditional jokes. It's a lot of slightly quirky situations in a comedic crime story that never amounts to actual laughing. Hector Elizondo's reveal is head-scratching. I don't think it works and it leaves the flow bumpy.

maybe I don't have good taste in movies, but lately everything everyone else hasn't liked I have thoroughly enjoyed, this movie included. I think that people have forgotten that movies are meant as entertainment regardless of whether or not their IBM laptop is compatible with the Alien's mother ship or if the scriptwriter is trying to make a social statement.Maybe once in awhile, forget about how you're supposed to feel and just sit back and enjoy the show.

This movie is one of a kind. It was portrayed by funny man Jeff Daniels and also great actress Catherine O'hara. With a funny surprise ending it will keep you guessing. AT the end you'll say "That was a funny good movie"

I can't remember the last time this movie was on premium tv. Maybe TBS IN '97! Such a fun movie.

A deep cast playing wacky characters makes this a fun film for most of the way, except the last 20-30 minutes when the sleazy jokes, sleazy situations and stupid stereotypes go overboard and almost ruin the entire viewing experience. (Why do movies usually overdo things in the last 20 minutes, whether it's comedy or an action film?)

All the sex jokes are not untypical of today's comedies in which marriage is made out to be nothing but a joke, morals are at their lowest and we have to listen to 10-year-olds are smart-mouthed kids.

However, to be fair, there are a lot of funny scenes and remarks in this film. I liked Catherine O'Hara in here, along with Hector Elizondo and Chazz Palminteri. I never realized the latter was such a good comedian as I had only seen him play gangster roles. All the characters are meant to be absurd and biggest example of that was Elizondo's character, "Norman Rutledge" who had the best lines in the movie.

In all, ludicrous and stupid but entertaining enough to recommend a rental.