"The Addams Family" (1991)

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Barry Sonnenfeld

Written By: Larry Wilson, Caroline Thompson, Paul Rudnick

Released: November 22^nd, 1991

Runtime: 99 minutes

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Summary:

When a man (Christopher Lloyd) claiming to be Fester, the missing brother of Gomez Addams (Raul Julia), arrives at the Addams' home, the family is thrilled. However, Morticia (Anjelica Huston) begins to suspect the man is a fraud, since he cannot recall details of Fester's life. With the help of lawyer Tully Alford (Dan Hedaya), Fester manages to get the Addams clan evicted from their home. Gomez realizes the two men are conspiring to swindle the Addams fortune and that he must challenge Fester.

Review:

I watched this a year ago for the first time at the recommendation of my roommate, and really loved it! But who couldn’t? The Addams Family is one of a kind! 

I watched this again recently and forgot that the opening scene involves a choir singing a Christmas song of all things. I’d forgotten this. Halloween seems more of an appropriate holiday for this film I would have said…But then again, The Addams Family is an unconventional lot! And we love them for it. So, since it is Christmas right now and this is a family movie for which I thoroughly recommend getting the hot chocolate out for and sitting around the fire place basking in the lights of the Christmas tree with your loved ones! So, I thought I’d post a little review of this little gem!

The characters in this film are so wickedly quirky. Morticia Addams is such a strong head of the house. She’s incredibly cool if nothing else. She’s an exceptionally wise and clever character but one who is averse to fun – in her own sense of the word. She loves her family dearly, but is not one to get overly excited either, always maintaining her composure. It is for these qualities and many more she’s one of the best leads you could have in a movie. Her husband, Gomez Addams is an amusing and lovable soul as well. And when the pair of these are together they are certainly a force to be reckoned with. I absolutely love their relationship. They are so in-sync and so affectionate (again, in their own way) and love each other so deeply. Their relationship is what’s at the head and heart of this film. Anjelica Huston and Raúl Juliá are such wonderfully talented actors. 

As for the rest of the household. Their daughter, Wednesday is a badass! The things she comes out with. Insightfully macabre and humorously morbid. There is no other character like her. Christina Ricci was a wonderful actress even at such a young age. Christopher Lloyd is always entertaining to watch. As the endearing Uncle Fester, he brings some more fun and individuality to this clan of lovable oddity.

Truly, the casting all around was something of a genius.

The production designers must have had a field day doing this film. The costumes, the set are all something to be admired - fittingly quirky. 

It is rare you don’t come across a person who isn’t familiar with The Addams Family theme. It’s more or less iconic at this stage. An iconic theme for what I would consider an iconic film. Admittedly its sequel “The Addams Family Values” is probably a better film; plot-wise there’s more to it and it’s a bit more rounded. But both are equally entertaining and both are one of a kind. Perhaps it made the sequel all the better having seen the original! Whichever of the two you prefer; The Addams Family is like nothing else you’re going to watch. Sit back and enjoy!  

TRAILERS: 

The Addams Family:

The Addams Family Values: