Throw Momma From the Train

This dark comedy verges on farce at times, which actually works for it. It's a sort of send up of Hitchcock movies and the like -- particularly "Strangers on a Train" which is featured in the movie in a crucial role. And there are plenty of madcap antics and character moments.

Crystal's Larry Donner is constantly both funny and depressed and DeVito's Owen Lift is endearingly simplistic and desperate for approval. Since he doesn't get it from his mother -- the deliciously acerbic Anne Ramsey -- he latches onto his creative writing teacher, Larry, and proves that he would go to great lengths for him.

It is far from perfect, but there are enough moments of greatness that this ends up rising up above the darker tones of the underlying story.

Perfect fare for a Friday the 13th party if you want something semi-dark but still funny.

If you haven't seen this hilarious comedy with Billy Crystal and Danny Devito, you should. It has become a family classic for us. We enjoy throwing one liners at each other from this movie. You will understand after you see it.5 star rating.

Anne Ramsey's Oscar-nominated performance as Danny DeVito's monstrous mother in "Throw Momma From The Train" is easily one of the greatest performances in the history of the cinema, and also one of it's funniest.

I am not joking, I am not being sarcastic, and I am not being hyperbolic. Ramsey's performance is a work of unbelievable talent--genius, even--unparalleled in it's ability to make me with ROAR with laughter every time I see it.

Anne Ramsey died shortly after making this film, and I'm glad she got this performance in the can before her clock wound down. It really is a joy to behold.

the thing i liked most about this film, is they seemed to always have the most casual of conversations during the most extreme life events.

the whole cast is fantastic, every character in the film fills their spot appropriately. anne ramsey, danny devito, and billy crystal are magnificent. danny devito is virtually non-stop the entire film with his casual charismatic commentary, billy crystal seems to have an endless style of chronic complaining and hilarious one liners, top it all off with mommas insulting demands and screaming complaints. the great branford marsalis was also in the movie and wrote two songs for the soundtrack.

the movie seems to be most enjoyable when in a very relaxed mood, non- stop laughter, almost have to pause it at times.

the film effects, lighting, coloring, music and cinematography are all fantastic. i wish films of this caliber were still being produced.

Who are these people? Who knows, who cares? Evidently Amazon do, since it lists them before Danny DeVito, Billy Crystal, and the absolutely great Anne Ramsey. Do you mind if I rant? Why the bloody hell does Amazon persist in listing casts In Order Of Appearance? In this case, Anne Ramsey, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Owen's momma, is not on Amazon's cast list!! On one of my favorite movies, the first five roles that Amazon lists never made the screen in the film's North America release(had to catch the Tierra del Fuegan version). Anyhow, the late Ms. Ramsey's Momma is so horrible, you have to love her. I sat down with my 82 year old Mother, & she just howled....with laughter, that is. Danny Devito is really wonderfully simple, and Billy Crystal, as usual is excellent. Writing this makes me want to see more Anne Ramsey....all I can think of is "Scrooged", where she has a small role as a bum/angel along with Michael J. Pollard. Too bad I couldn't just click on her name to find other roles. At least I was able to click on Peter Brocco name, & discover that his only two other roles were in Spartacus, & on the Cuckoo's Nest soundtrack....I wonder where he's waiting tables.