Raising Arizona - 1987
The “seeds” of greatness - nuanced, idiosyncratic characters, highfalutin dialogue, harebrained criminal schemes, pitch black themes (ie child kidnapping) played as black comedy, and so much more - are contained therein, but the final product is better elsewhere. This is Raising Arizona in sum.
Even so, this is nowhere near a sophomore slump. In fact, it may be a clarion call of a decades long wave of genius to come.
Nic Cage is an entirely off his rocker every man with mush for brains and a heart of gold. Holly Hunter is never less than exceptional, stretching her tiny frame/shrieking voice persona to hilarious lengths. And welcome to the world, John Goodman. Still to my mind, the best bit player in the Coen’s oeuvre.
It’s always fun to return to imperfect early flicks from great directors. This one does not disappoint.
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