Raising Arizona
Raising Arizona was released on 13 March 1987. The crime comedy was directed by Joel Coen and produced by Ethan Coen.
The movie produced a box office earning of $29 million on a budget of $5.5 million.
The Movie
H.I. “Hi” McDunnough (Cage) is a small-time criminal that spends his time in and out of the prison cells. At yet another mugshot, Hi meets Edwina or “Ed”(Hunter). The police officer taking the photos.
In prison hi learns that Ed’s engagement was off and he decides to propose to her. They marry and move into a mobile home, where they eventually discover that Ed is infertile. Adoption was no option either due to hi’s criminal record.
They learn of the quintuplets born to the furniture magnate “Arizona Quints”, and decide to kidnap one of the babies.
The movie cascades into a frenzy of events, as the baby changes hands from couple to couple, with Hi and Ed battling to get the baby back
After all the events, and eventually rescuing the baby, Hi and Ed feels remorseful and decide to take the baby back to its real parents.
The Cast
- Nicolas Cage as Herbert I. (H.I.) “Hi” McDunnough
- Holly Hunter as Edwina “Ed” McDunnough
- Trey Wilson as Nathan Arizona, Sr.
- John Goodman as Gale Snoats
- William Forsythe as Evelle Snoats
- Sam McMurray as Glen
- Frances McDormand as Dot
- Randall “Tex” Cobb as Leonard Smalls
- T.J. Kuhn, Jr. as Nathan Junior
Conclusion
The film received mixed reviews. Today it ranks 31st on the American Film Institute’s 100 years 100 Laughs list. the Washington Post with a positive review stated:
“the best kidnapping comedy since last summer’s Ruthless People“.
Certainly worth the watch when you have time to kill