The Ladykillers (2004)

The Ladykillers (2004)

(remake of 1954 film - same title)

One of the Coen Brother's lesser known and arguably lesser (I'll get to that later) efforts, this is a very unsubtle movie about five criminals who deceive an old lady into believing that they are Renaissance musicians so she will let them stay in her house to practice their music, while really attempting to tunnel from her root cellar into the vault of a bank to steal 1.6 million dollars. 

Tom Hanks plays the ringleader of the bunch in a "southern gentleman" role. He is generally amusing, though his mannerisms are occasionally tiresome; for better or for worse, he isn't playing Tom Hanks in this movie. I could have done without the little hyperactive giggle he uses from time to time; his accent also didn't entirely convince me. I actually wish the Coens had devoted more screentime to the supporting characters, though most of the characters seemed somewhat underdeveloped and in some cases not particularly as likeable as they should have been. 

Not to say I didn't enjoy the movie, as I did. It sports a fine soundtrack consisting mostly of gospel music and it made me laugh out loud in places. The most amusing of the bunch were actually Marlon Wayans and usual Coen suspect J.K. Simmons, specifically their interactions together (and Wayans' scenes with bit player Stephen Root, funny as always). I also greatly enjoyed the character of the General with his various cigarette maneuvers.

It was refreshing to see such an un-PC movie, and such an old fashioned slapstick - almost completely unserious except for the oddly poetic and ironic finale. I found this to be quite enjoyable and indeed an underrated entry in the Coen brothers canon.

*** out of ****