Raising Arizona on DVD (1987)

More than meets the eye

A customer from London, England , 05/12/2005

This movie is much more than an outrageous and unique comedy. One reason for its cult following has been consistently missed by the critics: repeated viewings reveal surprising layers of meaning and an intricate web of symbolism.

At the heart of this film is the timeless debate known as 'nature vs. nurture': are we more a product of our genes, or of our environment? How much of an effect does our upbringing have on our likelihood to turn out as either a law-abiding member of society (a society which in this movie is of dubious merit, as represented by Hi's job and his unctuous boss) or as a criminal deviant from its norms?

The symbolism in this film is rich and evocative--while always contributing to the comedy. Note how often the adult characters cry and carry on like infants. Note the way the escaped convicts are 'born' into the outside world. Note the marriage of a convict and a police officer, and the difference in their families visible in the brief wedding shot. Note the juxtaposition of milk poured over cereal with the infant's feeding bottle, as Evelle observes, 'Ya don't breast feed him, he'll hate you for it later. That's why we wound up in prison.' And note the frequent use of phrases such as 'that's natural,' as opposed to 'you're not being true to your nature' or 'mother didn't love me.' As Hi observes, 'maybe it's my upbringing, maybe it's just that my genes got screwed up, I don't know.'

The quasi-biblical, poetical and aphorism-laden language the characters use in the-state-adjacent-to-Utah is both touching and funny. Every word of the film is a finely polished gem. Ed's little plan is 'the solution to all our problems, and the answer to all our prayers.' Her infertile womb is a 'rocky place where my seed can find no purchase.' And as Hi later writes in a touching letter to his dearest Edwina, 'I feel the thunder gathering even now...I cannot tarry...better I should go, send you money, and let you curse my name.' On the other hand, the crotchety Arizona characters also have a remarkable literalness of expression. A packet of balloons does not blow up into funny shapes, not 'unless round is funny.' And as the old codger in the bank robbery points out, 'If I freeze, I can't rightly drop, and if I drop, I'm gonna be in motion!'

Even the music in this film is perfectly executed, from the hilarious yodeling and whistling of the main theme to the way the chilling accompaniment of a nightmare is later revealed to be a haunting children's nursery song, and then mutates into an ethereal melody in the film's final scenes. The characters, despite their flaws, are all surprisingly sympathetic. And the film is tightly constructed, without a single unnecessary scene or moment. It ends with a bang, not a whimper, its final words resonating with significance and yet leaving one wanting more, like a swift exit after a great punch line.

At the deepest core of this film lies a mystery wrapped in an enigma: who is the once-orphaned 'motorcycle demon from hell,' and what is his relation to Herbert I. McDonnough? The answer to this puzzle relates intimately to the 'nature vs. nurture' theme. While I think I know the answer, I'll leave it for you to figure out, based on the clues ('show the tattoo!') liberally scattered throughout the film. 'Okay then!'

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Non-stop laugh out loud humour

Valentino from Enfield, Middx , 12/08/2004

I love to watch this time after time. It is chock full of laugh out loud moments, from the bizzare situations to slapstick comic violence, to the hilarious chase scene.

This is the movie that got me hooked on the Coens. See this, 'O Brother Where Art Thou', and 'Hudsucker Proxy'(Shame it's not released yet on region 2) for a series of great laughs.

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Downbeat humour but warmhearted with it.

Daniel Fox from Manchester, UK , 28/03/2004

It?s fair to say that the Coen brothers seem pretty much incapable of making a poor film. ?Raising Arizona?, ripe with their instinctively urbane style, is no exception. It?s an eminently watchable movie, short and sweet and very likeable.

As you?d expect, it?s warm-hearted without being cloying or schmaltzy or twee. The bitter-sweet strands that made later works ?Fargo? and ?The Big Lebowski? so richly rewarding are not so much in force here but the brothers? sideways take on life?s inequities is very much evident.

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Coen brothers finest film

A customer from London, England , 06/01/2005

This is the film that introduced me to the Coen brothers fifteen years ago and I still hold this as one of their best films to date.

The opening narrative sequence is brilliantly executed and Nick Cage's performance is fantastic (before he started to do any high paying film that came his way).

There is no complex plot, clever twist or special FX its just a simple story beautifully directed and edited and a joy to watch.

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Good fun

Anthony Scott from Durham, UK , 16/09/2007

This has to be one of my all time favourite comedies. Ex-con Nicholas Cage and ex-cop Holly Hunter are the perfect comedy match as the childless couple who decide to steal a baby as they cannot make one themselves.

John Goodman almost steals the show as a fellow prisoner who escapes and shows up just when he's not needed the most, and that's when all the fun starts.

This film has the token bad guy thrown in for good measure, and of course the cute baby that everyone falls in love with.

Great fun, and a movie that I can watch again and again.

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Non-stop laugh out loud humour

Valentino from Enfield, Middx , 12/08/2004

I love to watch this time after time. It is chock full of laugh out loud moments, from the bizzare situations to slapstick comic violence, to the hilarious chase scene.

This is the movie that got me hooked on the Coens. See this, 'O Brother Where Art Thou', and 'Hudsucker Proxy'(Shame it's not released yet on region 2) for a series of great laughs.

Read all highest rated reviews