Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Danny DeVito

Writer:

Stu Silver (written by)

Release Date:

11 December 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Comedy

Tagline:

Owen asked his friend, Larry, for a small favor...

Plot:

A bitter ex-husband. A put upon Momma's boy. Both want their respective spouse and mother dead, but who will pull it off?

Plot Keywords:

Ex Wife | Professor | Student | Writing | Murder

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Danny DeVito	...	Owen
Billy Crystal	...	Larry
Kim Greist	...	Beth
Anne Ramsey	...	Momma
Kate Mulgrew	...	Margaret
Branford Marsalis	...	Lester
Rob Reiner	...	Joel
Bruce Kirby	...	Detective DeBenedetto
Joey DePinto	...	Sargeant
Annie Ross	...	Mrs. Hazeltine
Raye Birk	...	Pinsky
Oprah Winfrey	...	Herself
Olivia Brown	...	Ms. Gladstone
Philip Perlman	...	Mr. Perlman
Stu Silver	...	Ramon

Runtime:

88 min | Germany:87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Orion

Trivia:

The title comes from the Patti Page song "Throw Mama From the Train, a kiss, a kiss, Wave Mama from the train a goodbye..."

Goofs:

Continuity: When Owen sneaks into Margaret's house, he's barefoot. Then when her gardener shows up, he has to hide behind the couch, it clearly shows he has shoes on.

Quotes:

Beth Ryan: He didn't do it!
Police Sergeant: Well then who do you suppose did?
Beth Ryan: [after a pause to think] Somebody else!

Movie Connections:

Remake of Strangers on a Train (1951)

Soundtrack:

SHIKISHA

Genius script, great acting, solid direction: The ingredients to a great film.

Larry Donner (Billy Crystal) has a crazy life: His wife (Kate Mulgrew) stole his book and left him, he has a new budding romance with a girl named Beth (Kim Greist), he doesn't know how to start his book, and his students of his screen writing class are stranger than most. However, one student (Danny DeVito) is extra strange. He lives with his evil Momma (Anne Ramsey) and he can't get up the courage to kill her. So than he goes to Larry for help, making his life go from normal crazy, to extra crazy!

Stu Silver should have done more! The dialog, the characters, the whole script is near perfect! And Danny DeVito has proved to me he's more than a great actor: he's a great director! His kid's movie Matilda is among my favorite family movies and now this is one of my favorite comedies.

It's a black comedy, most jokes are about murder, but it's damn funny! All of the actors are doing their full potential, whether they're main characters (Billy Crystal) or just one-bit minor characters (Olivia Brown).

If you like comedy (Who doesn't?) than you'll like this! 8/10 stars.