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For today's movie, I wanted something lighthearted and fun that the entire family could enjoy. I couldn't think of anything more fitting than 1991's The Addams Family.
The movie opens with Christmas carolers standing outside a large mansion. As the camera pans up, we get our first glimpse of the eponymous Addams Family, preparing to gleefully dump boiling oil onto the unsuspecting carolers. After the credits, we are witness to the macabre daily lives of the Addamses. While typically jovial, the clan patriarch Gomez mourns the absence of his estranged brother Fester. Gomez's lawyer Tully arrives at the home and tries to scam Gomez into giving him one million dollars for a phony charitable fund in Fester's honor, but Gomez shrugs him off. When Tully returns to his office, he is confronted by Abigail Craven and her son Gordon, to whom Tully owes a significant sum of money. Tully notices a startling resemblance between Gordon and the long-lost Fester Addams. The three con artists hatch a scheme to rob the Addams Family of their fortune. During an annual seance at the Addams home attempting to summon Fester, Gordon appears at the door with his mother posing as his doctor, claiming he had been lost in the Bermuda Triangle. Despite suspicions, the Addamses welcome him with open arms, and as Gordon begins casing the house, he realizes that he fits in just a little too well with the Addams Family.
This movie is a classic, and no matter how many times I see it, it never gets old. Despite their morbid eccentricities, the Addams Family is far more functional than any real family. The cast is top notch, and I really cannot see any other actors in the role. Apologies to Tim Curry, but Raul Julia spoiled us, and nobody will ever beat his over-the-top portrayal of Gomez Addams.
Gomez and Morticia are relationship goals, and my wife and I were reduced to giggles during the auction scene when Gomez and Morticia began bidding against each other for their own property, their passion and lust building with every bid. If this is their foreplay, what's the main event like?
Oh... right. Nevermind.
Christopher Lloyd is absolutely delightful as Fester, particularly when he begins to become more at home with the Addamses and his true self awakens. His encouragement really help Wednesday and Pugsley shine in this movie, particularly in the school talent show scene. The world needs more demented uncles, dammit!
The verdict should come as no surprise. This film is a classic and a masterpiece, and its essential for Halloween viewing. The movie has aged well. The only thing that dates it is the inclusion of MC Hammer on the soundtrack, but even the undeniably hip Cousin It manages to sell that. Click here to view the music video for MC Hammer's "Addams Groove."
If you haven't ever seen this, well... frankly I'm shocked. Dirty pool, old man! Do yourself a favor and pick this one up on DVD or Blu-Ray today. It makes a worthy addition to any film collection.
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