The Addams Family

Playfully devious, and nothing if iconic, cartoonist Charles Addams’s eccentric characters are done justice on the big screen. First appearing in The New Yorker as a 1932 series of standalone comics, the family of outcasts drew keen attention, enough to attract numerous sitcom offers, eventually resulting in two seasons on ABC. This nineties film revival of the franchise magnifies the Addams’ upbeat whit, magic and **** Addams Family screenplay, by Caroline Thompson and Larry Wilson, is precise and unrelenting, making it clear to the viewer: this is no ordinary household. The Addams toy with death, and, as if by some unwritten, blessed inheritance, never face the consequences. They savor the macabre as much as they’re denied it, and to entreat the family requires the brave or foolhardy to embrace their peculiar spirit, or suffer the consequences. The brilliance of this film is in its resolute pace: keeping the action going while delivering the plot, causing the engaged viewer to struggle to capture everything at once.Before becoming a big Hollywood producer, Barry Sonnenfeld was an up and coming cinematographer; most notably on the movie When Harry Met Sally… The Addams film was his directorial debut. Directing is a position of incredible requirement and constant supervision, and these demands undermined Sonnenfeld’s health and sanity, resulting in production wide unhappiness, delays and increased expenses. Orion Pictures’ financial straits eventually led them to sell the national rights to Paramount Pictures even before the movie’s release!Despite these issues, The Addams Family went on the become a big box office success, earning $191.5 million compared to its $30 million budget. Funny how the constant rewrites, reshoots and meticulous editing (those aspects which frustrate Hollywood) can end up forging a timeless classic. Make no mistake: Sonnenfeld’s dedication to excellence is what makes his films enjoyable. It’s a responsibility that’s shared among cast and crew, and is vital to foster in today’s film industry.Make no mistake: comedy is the toughest of all the arts. What’s funny to one person can be offensive to another. It’s rare for a movie to make me laugh and The Addams Family had me chuckling almost all the way thru! The Mamushka dance scene, originally six minutes long, is an excellent example of proper editing and had to be cut down to two minutes for relevance.Speaking of having fun and being involved, The Addams Family showcases excellence in acting! The late Raul Julia (God rest his kind soul) was said to have deeply loved the role of Gomez, and his spirited performance proves it. Just look at him! He’s completely immersed! Notice how Christopher Lloyd pauses before taking action. This is the sign of a consummate professional: he’s considering the moment before moving forward. And, of course, Anjelica Huston’s portrayal of Morticia is both flawless and timeless. The costume she wore was said to have been painful, and yet she wore it everyday.Nightmarish the most whimsical way, the Addams Family is an American film classic. It has all the hallmarks of flawless cinema, where cinematography is crisp, the pace is resolute, the narrative is captivating and performances are impeccable. Charles Addams’ singular vision is exceedingly unique, and yet easily relatable to people of all ages.(I give The Addams Family a 10 out of 10 for excellence in comedy, performance and overall delivery!)

A milestone in black humor. Finally a movie with the Addams Family! I have always been a fan of this family. I saw some episodes of the original series, even though I never saw it all, nor am I old enough to have seen it on TV. They are adorable in their way of being out of the ordinary. And the film is very true to its essence. I think the film will please adults and young people a little. By its nature, I believe it is not suitable for children, but young people over 12 years old will perfectly adhere to the film. The script is good and gives the Addams all the space to show everything they are and delight us with their unusual and Gothic style. The film is loaded with well-known actors and they all did a good job thanks to Barry Sonnenfeld's excellent direction. Raul Julia and Angelica Huston shone in the role of Gomez and Morticia, and Christopher Lloyd proved to be great in the role of the hysterical and strange Fester Addams. Dan Hedaya was a pleasant presence and knew how to make a good villain, and it was nice to see Carol Kane. But it is undoubtedly Christina Ricci that stands out, as the sadistic Wednesday Addams. Excellent scenarios and tetrical costumes make up a visually striking film, full of good points and that helps make the Addams a milestone in black humor.