Rating: Summary: I've seen Belly Lint that's funnier! Review: While not the unfunniest movie of all time (Woody Allen's "Sleeper" gets that honor), this movie sent the message to Shelly Long that she made the worst move of her life by leaving "Cheers". We can't blame Tom Hanks for this, it was all Shelly, since without her, Tom was able to make many a fine movie after this one. It's not that Shelly is a bad actress, per se, it's just that she's a one trick pony. She can only play the waitress on "Cheers". Unfortunately, since "Cheers" has long since been cancelled, Shelly Long will wither away in the "One-Hit-Wonder" Old Age Home. So long Shelly, we hardly knew ye! If I coulda given this movie a half a star, I would have!
Rating: Summary: This movie had me on the floor Review: I feel this is one of Tom Hanks & Shelley Longs' funniest roles. I loved this movie because it hits home with me & maybe with anyone that has purchased a older home. I still makes me smile no matter how many times I've viewed it. Great bit of fun!
Rating: Summary: An Underrated Comedy Starring Tom Hanks & Shelley Long Review: "The Money Pit" is an underrated, romantic, slapstick comedy telling the story of an unmarried couple that unwittingly decides to purchase a large house in dire need of repair. The couple, Walter Fielding, Jr. (Tom Hanks) and Anna Crowley Beissart (Shelley Long), have a strong relationship until Anna's former husband, Max Beissart (Alexander Godunov), returns to claim the apartment where they have been living in NYC. Being forced to move, Walter and Anna decide to purchase a house and find what they believe is a dream house being sold by a seemingly eccentric widow, Estelle (Maureen Stapleton), in Long Island. Walter and Anna hurriedly purchase the house and move in. However, after a series of mishaps, they soon discover that their dream house has a number of problems. Having both invested a sizeable amount of their savings into the house, Walter and Anna have no choice except to hire contractors with dubious reputations to repair the problems. Anyone who has dealt with home repair issues (as I have) will no doubt identify with the trials and tribulations endured by Walter and Anna. Of course, many of the mishaps they experience in the film are exaggerated but very memorable, including the falling staircase, the crashing bathtub and the exploding kitchen. Naturally, stress resulting from the amount of money invested, the various mishaps and the prolonged loss of privacy due to the presence of many construction workers severely tests Walter and Anna's relationship. Max's presence as conductor of the symphony where Anna performs as a violinist doesn't help matters either. Being an exceptional actor, Tom Hanks did an excellent job with his portrayal of Walter, ranking equally with his performances in "Splash" (1984), "Big" (1988) and "Joe Versus the Volcano" (1990). Shelley Long's performance is also quite good. Other memorable characters in the film include the Shirk Brothers (the dubious contractors): Art Shirk (Joe Mantegna) and Brad Shirk (Carmine Caridi); as well as construction foreman Jack Schnittman (Josh Mostel). Sadly, when the film was released in 1986, it was snubbed by critics and earned poor box office receipts. Admittedly, the film is not perfect, but I rate "The Money Pit" with a very strong 4 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good slapstick comedy or to anyone contemplating the purchase or renovation of a house. The film also has a strong and simple lesson: buyer beware.
Rating: Summary: You Won't Recognize Me, I'm So Thin
Review: Most people have seen it on TV by now, but of Tom Hanks' screen comedies, this is probably the only one I've seen. I saw it in the theater, and the scene with the bathtub accident caused me to laugh so hard that I couldn't breathe, and thought, "this is how they'll find me, dead, eyes and mouth wide open." There are plenty of small asides that crack me up, such as the realtor's success in dieting, his entering "a 1 K", and the final scene, a completely unexpected denouement. Use of Florida's John Ringling mansion as a setting was a master stroke.
I don't yet have this on DVD, but plan to get it sooner or later. It's quite reasonable, and much cheaper than some of the detritus that has wound up on disk. I've seen it in the theater at least once, and many times on VHS.
The late Alexander Godunov was nearly flawless, mostly because what would ordinarily have seemed like poor delivery came off more like booze talkin', a characteristic that was completely in accord. Yakov Smirnoff is best in small doses, and his few appearances were spot on. Maureen Stapleton was a crack up. Joe Mantegna acted the part of the stars' guardian angel.
So, without further exaltation of what could have been just another screen comedy of the 1980s, I give a wholehearted recommendation. Buy it, enjoy it.
Rating: Summary: Not until you've renovated a house... Review: ...can you truely appreciate this movie. Filling up the bath water in the fountain, falling through the floors, yes it does happen, and can all happen to you too. My wife and I did our dishes and showered in the bathtub for 2 months as it was our only working plumbing. Now that our renovation is done, as soon as the dvd is out, we plan on reliving our last year with Tom and Shelly. For any newlywed couples wanting to renovate a house, watch the movie. Contrary to what you may believe, this really is the pain you'll go through, and everything that can go wrong, will. But it's all worth it if you survive the process...
Rating: Summary: Hilarious! Review: The Money Pit is a movie that gets a bum rap from critics but I think it's very funny and both Tom Hanks and Shelly Long were good, I'm happy to see that they are releasing this on DVD but there isn't any info about if it's going to be widescreen or fullframe and I hope it's widescreen, but anyway I highly recommend one of Tom Hank's best early movies!
Rating: Summary: Very Hilarious Review: This is one of my all time favorite movies to watch time and again. Tom Hanks is awesome and funny, before he started getting so serious with his movies. I've never been a huge fan of Shelley Long but she was very funny also. This movie had just enough romance in it to not make it cheesy. The renuivation of their dream house has taken a turn for the worse and if I say anything else I would be giving to much away. Please buy this movie, it will make you feel great.
Rating: Summary: funny funny funny Review: this is one of the funniest movies of the 80s. you will want to watch this many times and memorize lines. anyone who has ever bought a house will appreciate the story line. Tom Hanks and Shelly Long are akin to Cary Grant and Myrna Loy in Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House and they pull it off. You will laugh till you cry.
Rating: Summary: The Money Pit Review: The funniest movie of the 80s. If you have ever purchased a fixer upper you have to see this movie. Richard Benjamin does an excellent job in following the footsteps of Mr Blandings Builds his Dream House. Tom Hanks and Shelly Long are matched perfectly and the chemistry between them is akin to Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. You will want to see this movie over and over through out the years to come. It is a classic and should be in everyones dvd library.
Rating: Summary: Lightweight but charmingly funny Review: An oft-overlooked comedy from the mid-eighties, "The Money Pit" is the story of a yuppie couple who end up pouring every dime they have into fixing up what LOOKED like their dream house when they bought it, only to find out that it is just one strong breeze away from falling apart. The ensuing story is a series of comical construction mishaps, shady contractors, teetering relationships, and some of Tom Hanks' best slapstick performances. Of note, the scene where the bathtub falls through the floor and Hanks looks down on it in a fit of desperate laughter, and the scene where Hanks is trapped in a rug that has fallen through yet another hole in the floor. Look for a small part by a then-barely-known Joseph Mantegna. The comedy never quite fires on all cylinders, but it charms and entertains you nonetheless. This is probably Richard Benjamin's second best directorial effort, next to the untouchable "My Favorite Year".
|