122 of 1001 Movies: Raising Arizona (1987)

Before Nicholas Cage was known as he is now he did a movie that was still back when he was picking movies that had good backing to them. Raising Arizona is one of the early Coen brothers movies, Joel Coen, to be specific. It's an odd comedy that may take a couple of viewings for some to get, but for those that know what to expect beforehand it is an enjoyable movie to watch. The comedy seems reminiscent of the style that Wes Anderson would follow with the odd but likable characters in a very out there scenario.

H.I is a repeat con, and one time on his way to jail he meets a cop, Edwina, that he is determined to marry once he gets out. After falling in love and getting married though she begins to desire more, and wants a family, but upon discovering she can't have one and neither make great candidates for adoption they begin to hatch another plan. Nathan Arizona has recently had four children with his wife, and the couple figure if they kidnap one they will be doing them a favor, but once they kidnap the kid only bigger chaos ensues.


Of all the things I did notice about this movie I did believe that Holly Hunter and Nicholas Cage had chemistry as H.I and Edwina. Despite the craziness of the movie, and the fact it feels a little out there you still believe the two really do have feelings fr each other, and naturally when Edwina gets a child her feelings seem to outshine those she has had for H.I. Nicholas Cage though seems very suiting for the role, and unlike many modern roles you've seen him in he seems to utilize the skills he has as an actor.

Also, I haven't seen Holly Hunter in much, but there was something sweet about her character, Edwina. She seemed to have a lot of real conflicting feelings, and ultimately drove to her love for a con man, and need for a baby because she was desperate to finally try to have something good. Sadly, I think this can be true to life. When the baby enters the picture for the couple the movie gets a lot funnier. They got a baby who was very expressive to portray the part of Nathan, who was kidnapped.

The comedy though seems the first of it's kind, and one that would stir up a whole new direction. If you try to take the comedy too seriously then you won't get it. At the heart of it the movie just seems very simple, but also a new endeavor in movies as I haven't seen anything so far before the 80s when watching it. It also has this very memorable music playing throughout.

Raising Arizona is a different type of movie. The story seems mostly about doing the right thing as the characters seem to have failed hugely at that the whole movie so far. No one is really unlikable in the movie, and everyone seems to try to be understanding of the situation the other is in. When it comes to the baby everyone loves him, and never once is there any threat to his livelihood. It just seems like a feel-good movie, and that was unexpected considering it seems like a different movie from the bits I've seen of later Coen movies.

Rating 7 of 10.