gimi1122
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Everybody loves "Mom". That's pretty much a given in any day and age. Of course, it's also a given that everybody probably also knows a guy who still lives with his mother well after finishing college and starting a career. Y'know, the guy who can't hang out or go on a date because it's "Bingo Night with Mom." Jonathan Wacks takes that concept to the extreme in his black comedy ED AND HIS DEAD MOTHER.
In an attorney's office, we meet Ed, a nebbish lad who has been accused of beheading his beloved mother. Ed's defense is that she was already dead. The film flashes back to three months ago. It's been a year since Ed lost his mother, and even though he runs a successful business, he can't seem to move on with his life. This is a concern for his Uncle Benny, who lives in the same house, and he tries to get Ed to move on with his life. But it's hopeless for the sad sack Ed. Even at work Ed runs the hardware store as if his mother were still making the decisions. A strange fellow arrives and introduces himself as AJ Pattle, from the Happy People Corporation. Pattle tells Ed that his company sells 'life', and for a nominal fee, will bring Ed's mom back to life! Ed is skeptical, but agrees ...after all it is his mother. However, complications arise when Pattle informs Ed his mom has been chopped up as an organ donor after she passes on.
He needs more money to replace the missing parts. A disgruntled Ed agrees because after all, it is his mother. That night, Ed gets dressed up to meet his returning mother. Uncle Benny, who's been spying on the hot chick next door, thinks Ed finally has a date and offers his guidance. Ed gets him to leave when the doorbell rings. But it's not mom, it's the hot chick. Her name is Storm, and she puts the moves on a confused Ed. He pushes her out of the house because Pattle soon shows up with.... Mom.
Mom acts as though she's never been dead, much to the delight of Ed. Uncle Benny, upon finding Mom resting in the fridge the next morning, is less than thrilled. He tries to convince Ed that bringing his mother back from the dead is just not right. But Ed is in heaven now that Mom is home. But when Mom collapses it seems Ed's idyllic life has crashed again. Pattle appears with the solution - but it will cost Ed more money. Desperate for Mom, Ed pays for a 'life kit' - bugs that Mom needs to eat in order to remain resurrected. However, Mom overdoses on 'life' when she eats all the bugs at once, resulting in a whirlwind of activity from Ed's matron.
ED AND HIS DEAD MOTHER is exactly what a black comedy should be; a seemingly innocent idea skewered to the extreme. The story reinforces that old proverb of being careful what you wish for - Ed gets Mom back, but she's not quite the same anymore, is she? Funny, that death thing. The writing is snappy and the plot moves along very well. By utilizing a small cast, the story can take its time to develop the characters and situations without bogging down in exposition or too much plot. Speaking of which, the casting in ED AND HIS DEAD MOTHER is perfect. Steve Buscemi is the nerdy Ed - the prototype of the character he is most identified with. Ned Beatty (Uncle Benny) and John Glover (Pattle) are impeccable in their characters, and Miriam Margolyes is hysterical as the sweet, dead, and ultimately insane Mom. Director Wacks frames the film utilizing black & white in the opening and closing, which gives the main story (in color, naturally) an added spark. The film itself is very well shot - good, tight editing and decent lighting. There is some small grain in night scenes; however, it's so slight it's not a distraction. The sound is very clean.
ED AND HIS DEAD MOTHER has been released on DVD with a couple of extras. There's the obligatory trailer, a still gallery, cast filmographies and an audio commentary option with critics Luke Thompson and Greg Weinkauf (which I admit I didn't like and listened for only a few minutes before switching off.) There are also alternate versions of both the opening and ending. They're exactly the same as the black & white versions, but in color!
A very funny story, a perfect cast, and a poignant reminder that sometimes it's o.k. to move on with your life make ED AND HIS DEAD MOTHER well worth watching. Yeah, I love my mom, but I don't want to wake up one morning to see her in the fridge, or with a chainsaw. As Uncle Benny would say, that's just wrong.
Modificat de gimi1122 (acum 14 ani)
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