"Family is the main thing" before it became mainstream.
The Adams family is the progenitor of all family-themed satires, such as The Simpsons, Griffins, and the same Happy Together. This genre will always be relevant and they created it back in 1960 in the eponymous series "The Adams Family", it is there that we can watch the satire on the American family of the 60s, how "flexit" Wensday under the piano then? and as under Lady Gaga now. I think that the release of such a film in 1991 was simply necessary, because family values change over the years and laugh at what was funny before simply impossible.
The case when the remake really takes place. As a child, I was forbidden to watch this movie by my parents, after watching it I did not understand why. I was 12, 13 years old then. And now, I understand perfectly well what is ridiculed, what is in every family under the prism of what can not be voiced. No matter how wonderful a family is, it can be bad even with a close relative (idiot), through years, centuries and millennia, the family is the main thing, and while families exist infinitely many times you can laugh at the satire of internal relationships within them.
7 out of 10
I met the Addams family in my early years, when Fox Kids was the Canadian series The New Addams Family. After the first surprise and shock of the story about the life of such an unusual family, the story turned out to be extremely interesting and funny. After everyone’s interest in the family at the end of last year, I decided to first get acquainted with the cult dilogy of Barry Sonnenfeld.
This is the Addams family. They are extremely unusual and eccentric because they like things that scare others: they live in a gloomy mansion filled with unknown monsters. The father of the family Gomez is an eccentric gymnast and fencer who loves his beautiful Morticia, who wears exclusively black and loves to walk around the cemetery in the company of his adored spouse. Their children - Pugsley's son and Wensday's daughter - constantly put on each other dangerous experiments with varying degrees of success. Grandma cooks some potions in the kitchen, their butler Larch resembles a Frankenstein monster, and finally their faithful assistant around the house is the Thing, a brush without a body. This family misses Uncle Fester, who disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle many years ago. Years later, some insidious realtors decide to take advantage of the Addams’ naivete by introducing them to a fake Fester to steal their fortune!
At the first meeting with the Addams family and while watching the series, there were always strange feelings about what was happening: it is somehow gloomy, strange and... how fascinating! A story about the life of a family that likes all sorts of gloomy things like living in a dark house, where the rays of the sun do not penetrate, and which is filled with monsters and monsters, walks through the cemetery, cooking potions, decoctions and explosives, etc., described in the pages of Charles Addams comics in 1991, Barry Sonnenfeld, the future creator of Men in Black, brings to the big screen. And the result turns out to be quite successful. The atmosphere remains gloomy, gravelly cold, suitable for eccentricity to the eccentric family. The plot is built as a detective story - the missing older brother suddenly returns, but we realize that it is an impostor, but then we wonder whether everything is not at all as we think. There is also the specific humor of the Addams family, namely their passion for the dark, mystical and otherworldly and how ordinary people react to this.
The Addams family consists of Father Gomez (Raul Julia ), a charming fencer, who is kind of happy and happy, but longs for his brother, with whom he quarreled 20 years ago, and dreams of fixing everything; his passionately adored wife Morticia Addams ( Angelica Houston), whose iconic image in a tight black dress with black as a monstrous look has become one of the most iconic in the history of cinema, who is just as passionate about her husband ( he does not care for his wife, but for his wife, who is not interested in her life ( Leb> he does not care for his wife, but for her son).
The Addams Family is an interesting and bizarre movie about a family that seems strange, but then they turn out to be quite funny. Not a bad movie for a boring evening.
What is it like to watch the Addams Family in 2023 for the first time?
Amazing, fun, exciting and interesting. When I was a kid, this Crazy Family was very popular, but I didn't pay attention to it. Looking at the 1991 film, I can’t say enough. Even watching the movie now you are amazed by the atmosphere, you are constantly smiling, you are funny and funny. Each character stands out and gives emotion.
First of all, I would like to pay attention to the atmosphere. Barry Sonnefeld managed to convey the gloomy atmosphere, transfer characters through it. Give a lot of jokes and a great mood. Despite the fact that the family loved already from the first frame, it is interesting to watch them. The feelings between Gomez and Martish are certainly remembered. Maybe they're not as bright as I'm used to, but it's interesting to watch them. But for me, my favorite character is Gordon.
Christopher Lloyd was very surprised. There's not a trace of that famous Back to the Future Professor. This is probably his most unusual role, but so attractive. The facial expressions, emotions, appearance were all at an amazing level. How ridiculous he looks in some episodes causes laughter and a smile, and his play, his facial expression, everything was great. In the end, he opened up so much in a special way.
I want to highlight Cristina Ricci, she perfectly got used to the role of her heroine. Cold, calm and confident. He represents a soulless heroine who has no emotions.
Raul Julia. In the role of the head of a crazy family, he delighted throughout the film, not only because of his love for Martish, and in general it was pleasant and interesting to watch him. It was fun and cheered up.
Angelica Houston. Martisha perfectly complemented Gomez. It’s hard for me to imagine her individually, she’s essentially an irreplaceable character. The father of the family is who he was. Somewhere she guided him, loved him and was an important life partner for him.
The Addams Family is a great black comedy of the 90s about a crazy family. It was fun, funny and funny. Time passes with this family unnoticed. The atmosphere, directing and excellent acting work did not let you get bored and caused many smiles. Great movie.
I used to love the original series, I think. Then such a manner of narration, the depiction of something possibly disgusting in a positive way ... then it was a curiosity, probably a curiosity was many in the post-Soviet space. A lot of new things came upon the wave, much depraved in the literal and figurative senses.
As polite as it is to say, if you think about it now, the film essentially shows freaks ... shows them as they are, but in a positive way. This story can be subconsciously translated into our ordinary life, where we often accept someone as out of this world, as an outcast, perhaps, as whole families. And the rest of the story is just fiction, in some places, and perhaps funny (depending on what you have a sense of humor).
The most interesting, of course, practical tricks, plus the new-fangled at that time use of computer graphics, some blue screen / blue rag for episodes with a crawling hand.
History is popular. A lot of things will be filmed, even in a fully animation computer form. Spooks! In the meantime, there is cinema... and there is not so much computer in it, more natural surroundings.
Nobody remembers what was in the original series. But this big movie tried to somehow approach it, but, apparently, only slightly visually. You cannot go back in time and recreate it. Therefore, the movie is better perceived as a cast of how people saw something so freakish and incomprehensible in the early 90s. Of course, there is no laughing, but just joking. Well, someone, rubbing sweaty hands, earns again on our nostalgia, although we all live so much, earning money for someone, and our hands are constantly sweating (even if you think not).
There is also an unconventional note in the series, which, to my taste, spoils the picture, but we know the mores overseas ... they began to deteriorate long ago.
In early January, I saw this picture on television. At that moment I realized that I remember almost nothing from there. Then I could not revise it, since I was visiting, and the film itself was more background to heartfelt conversations. Yesterday, I finally got to this unusual tape. Still, it is funny to realize how much the impression of viewing changes after a large amount of time.
Plot. Twenty-five years ago, Gomez Addams had a big fight with his older brother Fester, after which he disappeared without a trace. Since then, all members of the Addams family have held séances in the hope that the missing person will come to their call. And then one day on the threshold of the mansion there is a man who looks very much like Fester. . .
Easy and foldable story from the first minutes allows the viewer to relax and does not overload it with unnecessary information. You do not need to expect any super-complex plot twists and intrigues from the film. Take it as an interesting theatrical performance, then it will be easier for you to feel the script subtleties. In certain scenes, the film made me sniff questioningly and express my distrust to the authors, but closer to the end, everything falls into place. However, the ending becomes expected just because of the peculiarities of building a storyline, with the help of which the creators drove themselves into a creative impasse. There is either predictability or absurdity and a lot of questions. The first option was chosen.
Atmosphere. Gothic and mystical atmosphere reigns here in every frame, in every room of the house. If you close your eyes to the strange behavior of the inhabitants of the house or accept them as the authors created them, then there is a great chance to feel sympathy for this tape. Costumes complement the characters well and make their images unique. Among the actors stand out the magnificent Christopher Lloyd (Fester) and at the time of the film's release, a small Christina Ricci (Wenzdee). Raul Julia (Gomez) tries, but sometimes overplays, and Angelica Houston (Mortisha) seemed to me emotionally unexpressive. Sometimes the picture may seem boring, but some bright scenes will remain in your memory for a long time. The school play and the dance “Mommy” immediately come to mind.
Humor. Cinema specializes in not always successful black humor, which, however, can amuse an unassuming viewer. Some of the dialogue tapes have even become legendary.
Music. For all the “heaviness” of some scenes, the melodies seem light and airy. In general, the music is very competently selected for certain situations. If you want to strengthen any emotional moment, then she copes with it perfectly.
Result. For all its obvious advantages, cinema is a very specific work. Due to the many conversations about death, comparisons with graves and ambiguous actions of the characters, the film is something philosophically pretentious. Simply put, this is an amateur comedy.
(approximately 4 minutes of the film)
The Addams Family
There are many wonderful paintings about love – “Natural Born Killers”, “Take Care of Your Headcarf, Tatiana”, “Love Mood”, “Amelie” and naturally “The Addams Family”. Martisha and Gomez created an extraordinary love diamond. This is what real feelings should look like! Gomez and Martisha often remember their past. They didn't care about boundaries and standards. They enjoy each other.
Past, present, future. The Addams will love to the grave. Gloomy, creepy, scary and so close. Gomez, Martisha, Fester, Wednesday (Wensday), Pugsley, Grandma, Thing (Hand) and butler Larch. I’ve always dreamed of being Gomez, I still dream. Live in a dark mansion and revel in endless love. Mommy, mommy, hey-hey-hey! The great movie was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.
There was such a hilarious companion named Charles Addams. He was the one who invented all these heroes. In the distant 60s, a series was released on his comics. The series lasted two seasons (more than 50 episodes), became a one hundred percent classic. That is, Barry Sonnenfeld faced a rather difficult task. Went to the classics, not scared. How he did it (the debut film), I do not understand.
Sonnenfeld gave a very strong remake. His film surpasses the series in many ways. A similar situation happened with Burton when Tim remade Batman. Most importantly, Sonnenfeld takes care of the classic work. He is not trying to humiliate or ruin him. In the series, Uncle Fester often put a light bulb in his mouth. I was really looking forward to that moment in a full-length movie. I waited, great!
It is worth talking separately about the cast. They all deserve loud applause. Raul Julia gives out a grinding acting game. Look at his burning eyes. Look at his scoop. Ah, ha, bravo! And when Christopher Lloyd appears in the picture (as Fester, e-my), your heart bursts out of your chest. Mommy, Mommy, I'm sorry, I got out again. Christina Ricci has played one of her best roles.
Are there no perfect black comedies? Old Sonnenfeld calmly proves otherwise. Costumes, makeup, atmosphere, music, dialogue, etc. His picture can be revised until the pulse is lost. Never get bored. I would recommend it to anyone who likes magic.
Last night you surpassed yourself. It's like you've been possessed by a hungry demon. You scared me. Do it again and do it again.
As much as I love the fantasy genre, this picture exceeded my expectations. When you sit down to watch a movie made in the nineties, you usually expect either a complete collapse or something amazing.
Irony, black humor and beauty are so chicly mixed here that this film leaves the best impressions. Gomez and Fender are really funny. Cruel and sullen Fender, gentle and such a gentleman Gomez. The moment they perform their traditional dance at the ball evokes such joy for the main characters. Mortisha deserves some compliments. Graceful, mysterious, French elegant, wise.
But.
I want to say that the most admired are the carefully thought out details of this film. You watch every minor character as an important character, you don’t want to miss a minute when the pen & #39 does its thing, or when Larch sprays flowers in the greenhouse, or when all the Adams relatives come to the ball. Every thing, every person is so skillfully played and presented that causes genuine interest.
Dark people are also people, but the question is, what is the darkness? In the eyes of breakfast and strong family ties or in greed and envy?
Definitely to the view, you will not regret it.
- Give me the salt. - What should I say? - Quickly.
When I saw adults watching this movie as a kid, I never knew what they were laughing at. And now, after watching it in its entirety at more than a conscious age, I can say that it is really very funny, just his humor is very specific.
What do you think of a happy American family? This is of course a working father of the family, a mother of a housewife and a couple of happy kind and well-bred children. The children of Addams are the nightmare of any teacher or educator, and the parents themselves seem to have left the pages of cheap Gothic novels. But at the same time, no one can say that they feel unhappy, or even do not like their family members.
I'm not sure that's what the creator of the original comic had in mind, but to me, it's about fighting family stereotypes. After all, it simply deconstructs traditional ideas about it and shows that inner well-being is much more important than external.
But this film would never have been so successful without a well-chosen cast. Between the characters of Raoul Julio and Angelique Houston there is a genuine passion. Christina Ricci is probably the most cynical child in all cinema.
Barry Sonnerfeld coped perfectly with the return of a wonderful franchise that survived no hypostasis.
7 out of 10
Have you killed anyone yet?
But uncle, he's still a kid.
- This is not an excuse.
The Addams family is a fictional family that emerged from under the pencil of newspaper cartoonist Charles Addams and suddenly gained unprecedented popularity. Over time, the characters of the comic moved to the TV screens - they were devoted to several series, both ordinary and animated, three feature films, as well as a musical. What is the reason for the audience’s love for Addams?
The fact is that this family is an example of an ideal, friendly, loving family with its own sweet traditions; in general, a real American family in the manner of those who appear in the advertising of yogurt. But with one caveat: they love each other in their own way, and their traditions are strikingly different from eating turkey at Christmas and other pink snot. Instead, the Addams quoted night walks in the family cemetery, experiments with dynamite and cyanide potassium, and in children's games appear alternately the cutter, crossbow, then the electric chair. In general, before us the classics of the genre “black comedy”, and as black as funny.
Casting can be admired endlessly: Raul Julia is just such a hot eccentric, adoring his wife (anyone who watched the film will remember their tender roll call: “Cara mia!” – “Mon savage...”), what you expect according to the comic book; Morticia performed by the magnificent Angelica Houston - a lean Gothic queen without unnecessary tinsel, reminding that man makes manners; Christopher Lloyd is a villain, reincarnating in the real Addams by blood (the appropriate makeup is attached); Jimmy Workman and Christina Ricci are furry and playful, but at the same time very intelligent children, support and support of parents. Good and villains, talentedly played by Elizabeth Wilson and Dan Hedaya.
With so many colorful characters, it would be possible not to try very hard on the plot, but he is on top: family secrets are always relevant, and the thirst for profit, which comes into conflict with spiritual bonds - all the more so. Events develop rapidly, not letting you get bored; sparkling dialogues are interspersed with musical inserts and dizzying fencing; villains plot, and children and uncles conjure over the production of Shakespeare ... What can I say here – those who do not shy away from black humor (and humor is really high-quality, high-class and reusable), will long remember “The Family” as one of the best paintings in its genre. Anyway, this tape has already become a classic - a kind of black analogue of "Home Alone", so those who are not yet familiar with this masterpiece, it is recommended to do it immediately.
The Addams Family is Hollywood’s Friendliest Family
I recently watched two films that are a qualitative example of black comedy, The Addams Family (1991) and its sequel, The Value of the Addams Family (1993). I know that the stories about this strange family were originally comic books by Charles Addams. After the success of the comic, in the 60s of the last century there was a popular television series based on it. And so during the twentieth century, the Addams lived to the 90s. Then still beginning director Barry Sonnenfeld decided to revive the family in the form of a full-length film. The huge success of the first part allowed Sonnenfeld to make a second, even more successful film.
The plot of these films revolves around a perfect, American, but extremely strange and mysterious family. The head of the family is a successful businessman, a heavy smoker and fencer Gomez Addams (Raul Julia). He has a beautiful, vampire-like wife and a mysterious Morticia (Angelica Houston). They also have two children: their son Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) and their cold-blooded, serious but extremely attractive daughter Wendsey (Christina Ricci). With them lives a very shy and unsociable older brother of Gomez - Fester (Christopher Lloyd) and Morticia's mother - a witch (Carol Kane). They also have a fearsome but very kind and timid butler, Frankenstein, named Larch (Karel Streuken). And the strangest and most mystical member of the family is the living, human hand, moving alone, separately from the rest of the body, called the Hand (Christopher Hart) or as in the original Thing. Of course, such a family is not standard. But in fact, the members of this family love each other as they are. Having two children, Gomez and Morticia not only love each other, but worship and can not live a day without their meetings and passionate dialogue, which is not without compliments in French. Wendsey and Pugsley play different, familiar games. Of course, these games are not quite children's, and not games at all - fighting with real swords, seating on the electric chair, playing with live food on a plate and shooting a crossbow at an apple in the mouth. But they like it and they never resent each other. Also, Hand likes to compete with Gomez in arm wrestling, and butler Larch does not hide his talent for playing classical music on the organ. Fester is very fond of his nephews and therefore often helps them in games, for example, he helped to find real blood for a performance at a school evening. We can say that it is around Fester that the main storyline of both films revolves. In the first film, he returns home, and in the second, he gets married. But there is a crime line in both parts that also revolves around Fester. I don’t know why he’s the center of the story, but I can guess because Christopher Lloyd, who plays the role, was the most famous actor in the film at the time.
When I watched these films, I wondered how one could make such an original and neat joke about death and the afterlife. Of course, not all jokes have this shade, but most of them are devoted to this. But it's shown so calmly and groundedly, it's normal for the Addams, it's their tradition. They really don’t just seem like actors playing a family, but a real family that loves and cares about each other. This opinion confirms the fact that after the death of Raoul Julia - the performer of the role of Gomez - the head of the family, the rest of the cast refused to play in the next part. Also in the film there is incredible music and atmosphere - the gloomy tones of the costumes of the main characters, a huge and old mansion in the Gothic style, full of dust and webs. It is also worth noting that in both films there is a dance scene - in the first film it is a "Cossack" dance "Mommy", and in the second it is a traditional Spanish, passionate dance. Also pleasing to the eyes of the young actors in the film, they are not just secondary characters, but you can say that they cover some adults. This is especially true of Christina Ricci, who plays Wendsey. She's so good in her role that the chills come from her serious and cold-blooded face. Well, the main value of the film is its humor, with which the creators tried to fame. Some quotes can be remembered and go down in history as the funniest and funniest jokes of all time.
In the end, I would like to clarify that I only recommend watching these two films of the 91st and 93rd years respectively. Since no other film adaptation or TV series about the Addams Family, you will not find such a funny and subtle plot. Of course, I can’t say this with great accuracy, but at least it’s my personal opinion. The Addams Family and The Values of the Addams Family have been great comedies and cult films with an abundance of black humor for more than twenty years. These films are watched now and will continue to love and revise for at least another decades, as modern comedies will find it difficult to surpass this plot, charisma and unique jokes sounding from the lips of some of the most prestigious and famous actors in Hollywood.
In the black and last house, in the black and last rooms lived people in black. There are not those who see a disguised alien in a simple passerby and walk with flashlights-correctors, although Barry Sonnenfeld has something to say about this, but the most ordinary necromancers-sorcerers. The Addams family plus some human spare parts snooping under the feet of stupid, wandering visitors. And after all, there are those who want to carry a kilogram or two of the golden chervonets, or even buy gothic real estate for free with underground labyrinths and a hidden home cemetery. Only relatives with paranormal interests are too good for the petty-bourgeois environment. To fry each other in the electric chair is yes, to greet the neighbor's judge with the duty golf ball in the window is always welcome, but spoilage or villainy - Addams do not find in this art of pain and suffering.
The colorful characters of the comic book saga of Charles Addams have long become the favorites of the audience. Someone is crazy about the hutalin-dyed lips of Morticia (Angelica Houston), someone revels in the immaculateness and elegance of Gomez (Raoul Julia, R.I.P.), most get another orgasm when they see Uncle Fester. However, all the other members of the family - and Granma, and Wensdy, butler Larch, and Thing - are colorful and brutal. However, for me personally did not harmonize with the ensemble boy aka Dudley Dursl performed by Jimmy Workman. Probably, he fell out for others, as indirectly evidenced by the further gray and rapidly fading career of the artist.
The black comedy came out from the novice director, but an experienced cameraman (one of King’s “Misery” is worth it) Barry Sonnenfield hyperbolically concentrated. Each dialogue broke through even in Russian translation:
When I return to my home, I enjoy the memories. Do you remember summer camp?
- For juvenile offenders?
- What are you guys doing?
I'm going to execute him in the electric chair.
We will be late for the charity auction.
- But mommy...
- I said no.
- Please? . .
- All right.
You can watch from anywhere, like Gaidayev’s positive tapes. Although, no doubt, the hit will be the episode with the Cossack dance "Mommy", which dances only in exceptional cases - under Waterloo, when meeting with Jack the Ripper. Or in honor of the return of the prodigal brother, in which you will never get to know Doc Christopher Lloyd from the evergreen Back to the Future without preparation. It is the image of the “nauseous monster-dumb” that distinguishes the picture among single-genre works and gives it the status of a classic.
And the spirit of children's horror stories, told at night under the blanket, streams from the screen and creeps into the room. Sweet and exhilarating, like the choice between a cup with arsenic and a cyanide forage. Forbidden and shocking, like a pulsating fountain of blood from a severed hand in a school play. Chilling and fair, so that there is no temptation to conceive tricks against a naive and otherworldly family. No one ever gets out of the Bermuda Triangle, not even on vacation. But you and I know that the Addams, for all their power, are cute and fluffy, they just love life to death. In fact, they're on their second honeymoon.
For you, life is entertainment and play. Dancing in the cemetery, stench, decomposition ...
Everyone has a childhood film that you remember with warmth, although you rarely watch it. For me, this movie was 'The Addams Family'.
No, really, in what other movie will you find so much black irony, stupid plot and great actors?
Mortisha Adams
'Lady with great makeup, manicure, wardrobe, wonderful children and the perfect husband.' - It is not Tisch that seems to the uninitiated eye. For all its specificity, Mortis is perfect. Nowhere will you find a more exemplary wife and mother.
Gomez Addams
Cigar, mustache, perfect hairstyle. The head of the Addams family seems to have come down to us from the pages 'Gone with the Wind'. At least that's how I imagined Rhett Butler. Lagging behind the time, a gloomy romantic with an excellent sense of humor - what else does a woman of any century need?
Wensday Addams
Oh, I still consider myself a fan of this girl. Christina Ricci, even at such a young age, has proven herself as an excellent and talented actress. Wensday’s black humor is an integral part of the film. Without him, the picture would be incomplete and boring.
Pugsley Addams
The boy seems to be lost against the background of a undoubtedly more colorful sister, but, damn it, he is charming! A cute fat guy with an excellent, undeveloped sense of humor. Of the whole family, he seems to be the most normal.
Fester Addams
Christopher Lloyd is unique. The strange roles are given to him more than perfectly. Well, who, who, tell me more could play and sweet Uncle Fester and the famous time traveler.
Grandma Addams, Larch, Thing
As a dish without salt is disgusting, so a film without secondary characters is terrible.
Grandma Addams is a beautiful lady with an unforgettable culinary talent, sweet like all grandmothers.
Larch is silent, sullen, unsociable. Something like Frankenstein's monster, but how he plays the organ!
The thing is a funny pen, which with all five fingers serves the Addams house faithfully for many years, and who managed to become a full member of this family.
Summing up, I can say that 'The Addams Family' is a movie that is still relevant today. Good, sweet, beautiful, albeit black. Such films are loved by people all over the world. And don't care about the ratings of film critics! ;
I confess that despite the fact that the acclaimed film not so long ago celebrated its 20th anniversary, I saw only a few moments "The Addams Family" - I could not watch the film from beginning to end.
To be honest, I expected more!
Of course, first of all, it is worth noting the Addams House, which cost the film studio 100,000 dollars. Of course, this amount is justified. Everything in the house gives a note of comic Gothic: the library, bedrooms, dining room, in general, every corner of their home. Every little thing is really convincing. If I was there, I would have the impression that I was in the Halloween Museum.
The composers tried their best: a great combination of tension and fun embodied the perfect combination called the soundtrack from the Addams Family, which is familiar even to those who did not watch this film completely.
The actors are pretty good. For 102 minutes I enjoyed playing little Kristina Ritchie, who was only 11 years old at the time of filming. Unfazed, ruthless, but charming! I was genuinely laughed at by her barbs.
Nevertheless, I confess, I am not enthusiastic about the film – it hurts specific themes, entourage and sarcasm. Hard to understand, strange film, but still quite original.
6 out of 10