Raising Arizona
1987
*****
Director: Joel Coen
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, John Goodman, William Forsythe, Trey Wilson, Sam McMurray, Frances McDormand, Randall "Tex" Cobb, T.J. Kuhn
H.I. and Edwina are a childless couple who decide to kidnap a baby from a wealthy business tycoon whose wife has just given birth to quintuplets. They attempt to start a family while they evade the law, H.I's old cellmates, and a ruthless bounty hunter. The second feature from the Coen brothers is a brilliantly funny and endlessly energetic comedy. The film is certainly goofy, sometimes exceedingly so, but the pace is so relentless that you won't have time to care. Barry Sonnenfeld's kinetic camerawork is breathtaking and the cast is great. Nicolas Cage will probably never give an equally likeable performance. The 15 minute prologue deserves to be mentioned separately.
