Genres

Visitors Review

FlickJunkie-2 2013-06-17 23:59:26

Likeable film (SPOILER WARNING)

SPOILER WARNING: This comment discusses the ending of this film in detail. If you haven't seen the film, you might want to wait until you have seen itbefore you read this comment.This is a very likeable film about a flaky woman and her family in 60'sAlabama. Lucille (Melanie Griffith) is fleeing her small town because shejust killed her husband and cut off his head. She left the body in herfreezer and decided to take the head with her as she embarks on her newcareer in Hollywood. This is actually two stories. The first is Lucille'sescapades and the second follows her young nephew Peejoe back home, whofinds himself in the middle of a civil rights incident involving the deathof a young black man who refuses to leave an all white swimming pool. Bothstories are well done, but disparate. This is my first criticism of the Mark Childress screenplay based on his ownnovel. This story can't make up its mind whether it is a farce (the Lucillestory) or a serious drama about civil rights in the 1960's. It succeeds inboth regards, but putting the two together takes impact and credibility awayfrom the serious civil rights story, which in my mind was the betterelement. My second criticism was the ending. Lucille is tried and convicted of thefirst degree murder of her husband and is sentenced to 20 years, (suspended)and five years of therapy, then set free. Although this panders shamelesslyto the feel good audience, and Lucille was a lovable character, films likethis send the wrong message to the masses regarding justice andaccountability. The message is that if you are likeable, flaky and avictim, the rule of law doesn't have to apply to you. I feel that the filmindustry needs to take a little more responsibility thanthis.When I rented the movie, I started out skeptical about the prospects of afilm directed by Antonio Banderas, even more since his wife Melanie Griffithwas cast in the lead. I was pleasantly surprised on both counts. Banderasshowed very solid direction, good camera work, excellent period props (greatvintage cars), and an attention to detail that was impressive for a firsttime director.Melanie Griffith was the best I can remember her since `Working Girl'. Shewas charmingly loopy and brightened up every scene she was in. But as goodas she was, the best performance was from young Lucas Black as Peejoe. After a fine performance in `Sling Blade' he proves it wasn't just a fluke. Black has a natural, plain spoken acting style with that heavy southerndrawl which is I'm sure must be close to his real accent. He projectssincerity and character and an inner strength far greater than one wouldexpect for his years. I look forward to seeing more of hiswork.I rated this film 7/10. It was a good story with an identity crisis, butmost people will have an easy time liking this film.

2013-06-17 21:01:45

Crazy in Alabama

This review is from: Crazy in Alabama (DVD) I ordered this movie and another as region 2 not understandin what that meant. When I received the movie it would not work and I could not figure out why. I emailed Movie Mars they explained but since it ws my fault it was not worth returning. I think they should make a side caption for region two explaining it. If I would have known what it was I would not have ordered it. These were a Birthday gift. I had to reorder the right region so I had to wait and give the gift late. Plus I just threw away the othe movies!

Tim 2013-06-17 19:41:05

A Movie To Be Crazy About

This movie was excellent. That is all there is to it. Melanie Griffithreally shined, especially at the end, and Lucas Black was terrificthroughout the entire movie. He is surely a young actor to look for in thefuture. Clearly the Academy missed this movie because Melanie Griffithwasn't nominated for an Oscar, which she should have been. Well, she getsthe nomination in my book, my rating is 10/10.

redman-11 2013-06-17 03:52:24

Lazy in Hollywood

The trouble with most Melanie Griffith vehicles-and for some reason I'mexcruciatingly aware of the number of them I've seen- is that you're onlyseeing one character, ever, and not a very good or memorable one at that.Ms. Griffith should be at the very center of a firestorm of debate on what'swrong with Hollywood, and the principal lesson we can learn from movies likethis one is that Hollywood is lazy. Melanie Griffith is not only not a verygood actress, she is so abominably bad and mind-numbingly predictable in herinfantile reactions and sex-kitten phrasings that she should never have beenseen aside from her appearances in Body Double and Something Wild, in whichthe characters she played were simply tailored to fit her deficient persona.For anyone who still disagrees, let me put it this way. If you were toremove the mannerisms, vocalizations, and elements of style that Ms.Griffith has simply lifted from Judy Holliday and Marilyn Monroe, you wouldnot have enough actor left to fill the shoes of a crowd-scene extra. Yet theHollywood system somehow works to keep this Cleopatra's barge afloat, longafter it should have run aground. But, since she's who she is, howeverunfortunate that may be for all of us, we'll go on seeing her again andagain, silicon-blown lips and breasts and, oh, what's theuse?This movie is really parts of two movies that never really come together,and that wouldn't really be able to stand up by themselves either. We have atypical Hollywood construct, 60's racist Alabama, intercut with a retailclerk's dream of ascendance to stardom: kill your abusive husband, steal acar, by a hat for the hatbox, (paste classical reference here) sweet-talk acop out of holding you in jail--Banderas probably knows so little aboutpolice procedure in this country that he actually thought the hatbox in astolen vehicle would not be checked-- win big in Las Vegas, audition forBewitched, and become a star. Maybe we're supposed to remember here that LizMontgomery also played Lizzie Borden in a TV movie several years afterBewitched tanked and she was renovating her image as a Now woman.Regardless, the classification of this film as "comedy-drama" should havebeen the tip-off that whenever Ms Griffith found herself in trouble, thebaby-doll would pop out, coo sickeningly, and her character would survivefor yet another stunning costume change. Now, the "serious" side of thismovie flounders like the fully dressed blacks diving into the pool--we'resupposed to think here of baptism, even before we see the image of thelittle boy floating in the crucifixion pose--and we are also supposed toswallow yet another screenwriter's slam-dunk of a terribly complex andmany-sided situation, that of racial injustices of sixties Alabama. Iremember sitting in an editing room, telling my working partner I'd justcome back from Alabama, where my father is buried. "F--- Alabama!" she said.She was from New York, and movies like this were her entire experience ofthe south. So, here we are, in the middle of this dreadful hash: a dream ofbecoming a star, which, oddly enough, is played by an actor who hasexpressed in interviews this same desire, over and over again: to be a star,even tho she is incapable of acting. Then we have the Hollywood construct ofa mythical, deeply stereotyped world: racist South, lustful cop, get-richLas Vegas, and star-studded Hollywood. And to top it all off, we have A.Banderas, who, come to think of it, may actually be the closest thing to amale counterpart to Melanie Griffith you're liable to find. He's fulfillinghis dream of coming to America, becoming a star in something other thanAlmodovar films (the worst of which was much better than this) and finally,directing. Every boy's Hollywood dream. Like Griffith, he seems to thinkthat talent or ability should have nothing to do with it. And if this moviehad been anything like the hit it was billed as in the trailers, He wouldhave been right. But, somehow, over and over again, that self-referencingHollywood myth simply breaks down, over and over again. What we have, then,is shoddy "stars" that no one really wants to see, like Melanie Griffith,shoddy directing, that we could live without, like Banderas,' and shoddyfilms, that no one really wanted to see, playing three times a day on Bravo,like this one. Do yourself a favor, the next time this one's on: Change thechannel.

ebandit131 2013-06-15 02:34:29

From a Native Alabamian

The movie is an excellent adaptation of the book. I was amazed at MelanieGriffith as Aunt Lucille. Another pleasant surprise was the direction byBanderas. Banderas managed to capture a lot of southern spirit and life.While the book is more detailed and intense, the movie is a great way torelive the book. I was inspired to re-read the book. I hope that others wereinspired to read the book for the first time. My suggestion is: read thebook THEN see the movie, then read the book again.

2013-06-14 15:29:07

movie

it is a very very good movie i laughed cried it has sad part good party i wouls say it is a great movie

Joel 2013-06-13 22:00:53

A very serious subject ruined by attempts at humor.

This film attempts to cover two extremely serious topics: black uprisinginthe south during the sixties and a women who kills and runs away from aviolent and dangerous husband. Unfortunately the movie's makers felt theyhad to dumb down this film by adding irrelevant humor. Just so you know,"Iloved Life is Beautiful." In that film the humor was just as sad as thereal actions. In "Crazy" the humor had little to do with the plot andseemed to only be included so that the viewer would not think too muchaboutthe serious, depressing, and wildly important issues the movie raised.Themakers of this movie should be commended for attempted to address strongissues, but should be pitied for not having the guts to present them thewaythey must be presented.

2013-06-13 05:49:23

I'm crazy about Crazy in Alabama!

This review is from: Crazy in Alabama (DVD) This product was delivered on time with no problems, which I greatly appreciated. I love this movie and wanted to share it with my teenaged grand-daughter, so I needed it to be here when she was.Thank you!

danvan346-1 2013-06-12 00:23:37

This movie still works so well for me!

I am in the process of trying to clean out an oversupply of VHS tapesand some of them are so easy to toss. Not this one. I had to sit downand watch it again and now I could only get rid of the VHS if I had iton DVD! I have not watched this movie in more than six years and it was"feel good" and "feel" all over again. David Morse is always wonderful.Lucas Black, Cathy Moriarty, Meat Loaf, Elizabeth Perkins, and manyothers are just a treat to watch. There's something about Melanie. Ican't help liking her - even when I am finding fault with her. Thismovie really is strange with its incredibly serious (and gruesome)subject matter of a woman who methodically murders and decapitates herhusband and then carries his head around with her - first in Tupperwareand then in a very stylish hat box! The surprising part is that thereis any plausibility at all, but it somehow existed for me. It had astrange feeling floating about it that was akin to "Forrest Gump" or"Nurse Betty", because it involved situations that were truly horrible,but everything kept working out for a sweet and naive character. Thecivil rights story was a very poignant counterpoint to the fantasticsilliness of Lucille's odyssey. If I were a film student I may have satthere and criticized the way things came together, but I just watchedit with an untrained eye, so it was fine. I certainly would have madethe connection about a freedom theme even if they hadn't come out andstated it in the end. No one says a story has to be believable orplausible for it to work. This did work. I laughed a lot when I leastexpected to.

wishkah7 2013-06-11 10:33:33

Extremely disapointing

Yet, another movie about a battered wife in the south. Melanie Griffithplays a battered wife who snaps and decapatates her abusive husband andheads to Hollywood to become a movie star with his head in a hotbox. Thefilm's only redeeming quality was the character Peejoe (Lucas Black), whowas the hero in the film, and the film's focus on the Civil Rights Movement. And Meat Loaf's role as the evil sherriff who kills a black teen forswimming in the pool was downright abysmal. Everytime he opened his mouth,you'd expect him to sing "Paradise By the Light", or "Two out of Three Ain'tBad". This was Antonio Bandaras's directorial debut. If you're a fan of Antonioor Melanie Griffith see some of their other movies. Skip this one. It'sjust your typical "vitcimized woman" movie, nothing special about it. Notworth the time.

Michael O'Keefe 2013-06-10 02:56:56

Don't give up on chasing that dream.

Actor Antonio Banderas directs his wife, Melanie Griffith, in this off beatblack comedy. Dramatic sub plot keeps this satire on a roll. An abusedAlabama housewife and mother of seven brakes free of her controlledsituation by severing her husbands head with an electric carving knife. Sheends up traveling with his head in a hat box, as she motors her way toCalifornia to become an actress.Meanwhile back home, her favorite nephew(Lucas Black)has become a nationwidehero from being caught up in social and racial unrest. The sheriff, playedby singer Meat Loaf, is the towns supreme bigot and also proves to be ablackmailer.Although a wee bit on the absurd side, this comedic drama is touching andredeeming. A few familiar faces that add texture to this fast moving flickare Rod Steiger, Robert Wagner and Fanny Flagg.

amykay 2013-06-09 09:20:54

It's about living with, and responding to, violence.

Crazy in Alabama pits violence against our attempts to understand, livewith, and stop it. * A woman, abused by her husband, responds by killing him and decapitatinghim so she can hold him prisoner and prove her worth to him.* A community, abused by those in power, responds with civil disobedience.* A boy, horrified by the violence, prejudice, and hypocrisy of his rolemodels, calls on the law and the media to bring about justice.And yet... it's funny! "All I know is, one minute she was married to UncleCharlie; and the next, she was gone wid' his head." The instant I heard thatone line I was hooked, and would not turn away until it wasdone.Excellent filmmaking.

2013-06-08 22:24:31

Not great, but agood first directorial effort by Banderas

Mellanies best Film yet.She acts so naturally like never before and she plays the role of a beautyfull,intelligent,and strong woman who decapetated her husband Chester and which dream is to become an actress called "Carolyne Clay". In the meantime her nephew Pee-Joe has to fight extreme rassism in Alabama a young collored boy has been killed by the Sherif and Pee-Joe saw everything! Its a movie who showes us the "real" life out there!

Peter Swanson 2013-06-08 10:08:34

Almost a Spoiler

I have such a high opinion of the book from which this was made that Ishould've been better prepared to be disappointed with any filmversion, but it seems my guard was down. It's not a BAD movie, actuallyis pretty entertaining while maintaining the high points of the book.The book, however, is both funnier and more touching. The EudoraWelty-ish family central to the story is much more clearly described inthe book, and seems comparatively flavorless in the movie. Writing withany depth and substance is hard to translate to film, but is has beendone; see the Jessica Tandy version of Truman Capote's "A ChristmasMemory." If you haven't read the book you'll probably like this justfine. If you're a fan of the book, be forewarned that the film is notgoing to be the same experience.

2013-06-07 00:41:54

Fun escape

This movie truly is a fun escape even though there are some serious sub-plots (racism, domestic violence, etc). You will truly root for Lucille to win and expect laughter and tears on this journey. Great movie!

corky-7 2013-06-06 11:28:53

Much more than I expected.

Antonio Banderas has really shown that he can bring out the best in hisactors. Both Melanie Griffith and Rod Steiger gave the most controlledperformances I've seen from them in years. Lucas Black, who is still new,was terrific.There was a lot of humor in this picture. But it had nothing to do withthecivil rights issue. All of the humor had to do with a bizarre aspect ofthemurder.I highly recommend this film. It makes you cry and it makes you laugh.Andit's for all members of the family over 12.

BNVfilms 2013-06-05 02:31:19

Fantastic & moving

Crazy in Alabama is a great movie the depicts the changing of the worldin the 1960s in the south as well as one woman's adventure and dreams.Lucille was a woman abused by her husband for many years and finallyhad enough. In one foul swoop she killed her husband and ran forHollywood talking his head with her on her new found freedom. Griffithas the free spirited Lucille is fantastic. Other actresses could havemade this character a lot more sinister or evil but Griffith made hersome one that you could relate to. The other story line is that of Lucille's nephew P. Joe, whom she leftbehind in Alabama. He is dealing with the aftermath of Lucille'sdeparture from Alabama and all of the racism and hatred that is in histown. Meatloaf is great as the racist police chief that has a personalvendetta against Lucille, P. Joe and his family. This movie is very touching and I believe that Banderas did a good jobat directing. I home that he continues he will do more projects in thefuture that have this kind of caliber. I recommend that you watch thismovie because it is great for viewing at home.

2013-06-04 11:56:41

Boring

I am not a fan of Melanie Griffith at all, in fact, the only film I really like her in is "Working Girl". It's not that she is a terrible actress. She is just annoying. So why did I waste over 2 hours of my time watching this movie? I am now asking myself the same thing. I wasn't sure if this movie was supposed to be a comedy. If it was, it wasn't even funny. Griffith, plays Lucille, a woman who is beaten by her husband. She kills him and cuts his head off...Why? I have no idea. Maybe she's crazy? She then decides to leave her 7 children in the hands of her mother so she can go out to Hollywood and live out her dream of becoming a glamerous actress. She takes the head of her husband along for the ride...why not? Nothing else makes sense so far so why not make less sense. This film is just a mishmash of nonsense. She wins a lot of money in Las Vegas right before she gets to California. She eventually gets her big break...She is on t.v. Then, she gets caught..eventually all criminals do. I don't know what the ending of this movie is all about...She goes free? when she was sentenced to a term in prison? Maybe the book is better, I hope so, cuz this was a boring movie. I watched it on cable....thank god i waited that long. The only bright spot was Lucas Black, the boy from Sling Blade. He is one of the best child actors right now. I hope to see more of him in films. He is very charming. I personally wouldn't recommend this film.

2013-06-03 08:53:44

Crazy behind the camera in Southern fried soap opera

Whatever became of It "Working Girl" Melanie Griffith,who defeated her rival Sigourney Weaver and won the heart of Harrison Ford? She married the younger Antonio Banderas,who decided to direct her as a quirky killer housewife turned Hollywood diva."Crazy in Alabama" is a bizarre blend of two stories-a housewife who killed her husband&flees to Hollywood,and that of a young Southern boy who is a witness to racial tensions and participates in the civil rights struggle of the '60s. The stories could've been melded well;instead,there is a constant,choppy bouncing between them.The voice-overs of the housewife (Griffith) and the boy (Lucas Black) are intrusive,an excuse for the director to tell instead of show.It's also heavy-handed. The housewife also carries her husband's head in a hatbox for most of the movie--which doesn't make sense. It's never explained why she's dragging the evidence of her murder everywhere she goes. The young boy's interracial friendship-and his growing maturity-could have been touching.His story is more compelling;Lucas Black is a talented young actor.He's convincing in his character's growth. There are excuses for celebrity cameos from Meat Loaf,Robert Wagner,George Foreman and Rod Steiger;but it doesn't further the movie. Melanie Griffith isn't convincing as an abused housewife or a mother of a large family;she's barely shown with her children,and there's no emotional connection. Instead,she plays a Southern belle Auntie Mame;campy,a drama queen,all glitter without substance."Crazy in Alabama" has only two redeeming points-the soundtrack is wonderful and the civil rights plot,while good,could've been handled better. As Antonio Banderas' directing debut,it's no wonder he now only promotes his perfume/cologne line and voices Puss in Boots for the Shrek movies.

senora 2013-06-02 15:12:52

Loved it!!

Overall, I thought they took us on an emotional rollercoaster in thisfilm.When you started to feel teary-eyed about the horrors that occurred duringthe civil rights movement, they would flip right back with some crazy thingthat was happening to Aunt Lucille which made me LOL several times. Thecomic relief helped a lot!During this movie I thought that I really liked it, but wasn't sure I wouldwant to see it again; however, I had already promised another friend that Iwould see it with her so had "trapped" myself into going again. Thisworkedout well, because it seemed even better the second time and even moreenjoyable. The characters were all very compelling, they did such a greatjob bringing so much emotion to the film. No matter how poor any reviewsmaybe or how this film does at the box office, I applaud that they left outthegraphic violence and sex scenes from the book and went with the characterdevelopment and emotions of the stories. Yes, I will probably see the movieat least once more- I think the general theme about freedom is something myson should see- so I'll probably go with him.