Raising Arizona | Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter

Raising Arizona | Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter | Best movie ever

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Raising Arizona

	Raising Arizona Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter 20th Century Fox, 1996 average customer review:based on 158 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Blood Simple made it clear that the cinematically precocious Coen brothers (writer-director Joel and writer-producer Ethan) were gifted filmmakers to watch out for. But it was the outrageously farcical Raising Arizona that announced the Coens' darkly comedic audacity to the world. It wasn't widely seen when released in 1987, but its modest audience was vocally supportive, and this hyperactive comedy has since developed a large and loyal following. It's the story of "Ed" (for Edwina, played by Holly Hunter), a policewoman who falls in love with "Hi" (for H.I. McDonnough, played by Nicolas Cage) while she's taking his mug shots. She's infertile and he's a habitual robber of convenience stores, and their folksy marital bliss depends on settling down with a rug rat. Unable to conceive, they kidnap one of the newsworthy quintuplets born to an unpainted-furniture huckster named Nathan Arizona (Trey Wilson), who quickly hires a Harley-riding mercenary (Randall "Tex" Cobb) to track the baby's whereabouts. What follows is a full-throttle comedy that defies description, fueled by the Coens' lyrical redneck dialogue, the manic camerawork of future director Barry Sonnenfeld, and some of the most inventively comedic chase scenes ever filmed. Some will dismiss the comedy for being recklessly over-the-top; others will love it for its clever mix of slapstick action, surreal fantasy, and homespun family values. One thing's for sure--this is a Coen movie from start to finish, and that makes it undeniably unique. --Jeff Shannon

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comedy at its craziest

this Coen brothers classic is in my opinion their best movie. The film takes a serious subject-the kidnapping of an infant-and makes it funny with bizarre characters that are often unlikable and writing that is pure Capra.

Best movie ever

I am a fan of all the Coen brothers' movies, but Raising Arizona is my favorite of them all. It's a gem, and I bought it for all my senior advisees (I'm a high school teacher) as their graduation present. "Okay, then."

Coen Brothers

Coen Brother's film, what more needs to be said. These guys are remarkable at capturing a area's culture, dialect and humor.

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wild and cartoonish fun, but why so few extras on DVD?

If you are in the mood for loud, wild, outlandish and downright cartoonish fun, then this is the film for you. Quite a departure from an earlier offering, Blood Simple. Raising Arizona shows the other side of the Coen brothers: their penchant for wacky comedy, satirical pokes at American society, their expert casting skills, and some truly hilarious lines.

Don't expect profundity; that is not the purpose of the film. If you want something deeper, go for No Country for Old Men. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy a rather noisy ride involving kidnapping, a troubled couple, two escaped convicts, a freaky motorcyle riding bounty hunter, and some extremely cute babies. Don't worry--no smarmy or maudlin stuff. The Coens know better than that.

I just wish the DVD had more extras on it; there are just tv and film trailers for the movie, and promos for Barton Fink and Miller's Crossing. I was hoping for at least a brief interview with the brothers and cast members. Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter are so hilarious; I would enjoy hearing them talk about these roles.

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