Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

· by · in 1987. ·

Synopsis:

A bitter and frustrated author (Billy Crystal, When Harry Met Sally), who is currently teaching creative writing, is unexpectedly pulled into a murder conspiracy by one of his students (Danny DeVito, Romancing the Stone). 

Reaction & Thoughts:

“One little murder and I’m Jack the Ripper.”

This parody of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1951 thriller Strangers on a Train isn’t as good as I remember. There are some humorous moments here and there. There are many missed comedic opportunities as well. Honestly, this just isn’t as funny as it could have been. You have all the elements for an outstanding and entertaining spoof, yet I found myself twiddling my thumbs while waiting for jokes that never materialized.

For a comedy that clocks in at 88 minutes, there are too many scenes where nothing funny happens. The momentous teaming of Billy Crystal and Danny DeVito should have produced funnier situations. But Crystal and DeVito do have great chemistry, and Anne Ramsey is absolutely unforgettable as DeVito’s abusive mother.

I love Crystal and DeVito, but Ramsey’s one-of-a-kind performance steals the show. I laughed every single time she appeared on the screen! I can’t imagine another actor in that role, and I was pleased when Ramsey received an Oscar nomination for her hilarious work. The Academy rarely rewards performances in comedies, so I was pleasantly surprised to see Ramsey’s name among the nominees.

DeVito does a nice job directing the movie. It was DeVito’s first time on the director’s chair, and you can tell that he knows what he is doing. I liked how he alludes to Hitchcock’s trademark camera angles. DeVito, with the help of cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld (Raising Arizona), imitates Hitchcock’s visual style to great effect.

However, De Vito seems unwilling to embrace the dark aspects of the story. It should have been a great black comedy, instead we end up with an occasionally funny but timid homage to Hitch’s thriller. The happy ending, in particular, is a HUGE letdown — the story begs for the type of bittersweet conclusion you see in a Coen Brothers (Barton Fink) or Alexander Payne (Sideways and Election) movie.

Conclusions & Final Thoughts:

 I remember enjoying Throw Momma from the Train a lot when I watched it for the first time in 1987. Watching the film today, I feel that the satire lacks real bite. Incidentally, Danny DeVito’s next film as a director, The War of the Roses (1989), demonstrated that he was a fast learner — it’s the kind of piercing social satire that Throw Momma from the Train could have been. Still, it’s worth watching for its performances and DeVito’s shrewd directorial choices. Color, 88 minutes, Rated PG-13.

Theatrical Trailer:

13 responses to “Throw Momma from the Train (1987)”

    • For me it probably wouldn’t, which may be the case for a lot of films that were enjoyable for good reasons for their time. But with how much more sophisticated that most comedy films may be in this century, some tastes may inevitably change. But I always applaud the talents of Billy Crystal and Danny DeVito.

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  3. I remember enjoying this movie when it first came out, but not loving it. I hadn’t seen “Strangers on a Train” at that point. I’m curious enough to know what my reaction would be now to watch it again.

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  4. Apparently Irving Gordon (1915 – 1996), writer of the song “Mama from the Train” (it was a hit for singer Patti Page – who’s sold over 100 million records – in 1956) sued Orion Pictures over unauthorized use of the title – even though the song used ‘Mama’ and the film used ‘Momma’ – and was awarded $100,000.

    This clip underlines the point there’s a difference between salted and unsalted nuts…

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  5. As you say DeVito’s dark humour came out much stronger after this movie, and it does seem like he’s quite timid in showing a darker film. It’s a real tour de force from Anne Ramsay. But I do emphatise, it’s horrible watching a then much loved movie and then being super disappointed on the rewatch.. felt that way with a few films I’ve reviewed.. or rewatched.

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  6. We were JUST talking about this movie last night. Because it’s one of those that really can’t be made today. Too many people would complain and/or be offended somehow. We were feeling nostalgic for “the good old days,” before everyone became super sensitive and lost their sense of humor.

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