Cracking dark comedy (The Addams Family (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	The Addams Family (DVD)
Date:	17/09/09 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quirky, funny

Disadvantages: None

note: also appears in part on Flixster and The Student Room

The Addams Family is a cracking rendition of the classic American TV series, and brings it back to living, breathing life for a new generation with some great costume and set design, and a slew of spirited performances.

The film opens as Gomez (Raúl Juliá, in one of his final good roles) reveals that he hasn't seen his brother, Fester (a near unrecognisable Christopher Lloyd) in about 25 years after they had a dispute. When their lawyer Tully (Dan Hedaya) is in financial woes, he meets Gordon (also played by Lloyd), who bears a striking resemblance to Fester, and declares that he pose as Fester in order that they might embezzle money from the Addams Family.

What makes this so fun is the quirky variety of characters. Morticia (Anjelica Huston) is Gomez's wife, and brilliant played by Huston, in one of her more memorable roles. Christina Ricci also makes her screen debut as Wednesday Addams, the creepy daughter of Morticia and Gomez, and the popularity of the character propelled her to huge fame and success, starring in a Woody Allen film and becoming a darling of independent cinema. There's also Lurch, the huge, lumbering butler, and Pugsley, their other overweight, troublesome child.

It's a film composed with a brilliant Gothic tone, very reminiscent of something Tim Burton might produce. It's also got a wealth of dark humour and therefore isn't really suitable for a lot of younger audiences (although I remember watching this when I was about four!). If you want a quirky, offbeat film with an original sense of humour, great performances and lavish set design, then this is one to watch.

A deliciously dark comedy that is both incredibly original and wildly hilarious. Great turns all around from the cast. I love it.

Summary: A dark iteration of the series