THROWBACK: Raising Arizona

Early Coen Brothers classic proves they had the knack from way back.

The Coen brothers are the modern arbiter of the tall tale. Only rather than superhumans like Paul Bunyan or Johnny Appleseed the Coen’s have chosen petty criminals, assorted crooks, and small town cops as their protagonists to tell the story of today’s America. Raising Arizona is one of their earliest efforts and their signature style and humor are already on display.

It’s Lo-fi sensibilities and awkward brand of comedy are so fresh it feels like as it could’ve been made last year and not 36 years ago. The term ‘ahead of its time’ is overused but it fits here really well. The authenticity of Raising Arizona’s production design would be impossible to replicate today but it doesn’t stop many art directors from trying. The look and sound of the world the Coen brothers create is singular, reality but a bit askew. Or maybe rather, realer than real.

The cast is filled with actors on the verge of superstardom. Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter create one of film’s most iconic duos as H.I. and Ed, the most likable kidnappers this side of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. Cage’s charisma and Hunter’s chutzpah are perfect matches, it’s impossible to imagine any other two actors playing these roles.

John Goodman, just a year before his starmaking turn as Dan Conner on Roseanne, and William Forsythe are hilarious as H.I.’s escaped convict buddies looking for one last heist. Sam McMurray is at his sleazy best as H.I.’s swinging boss Glen and Francis McDormand is unrecognizable as his feckless wife Dot. The entire ensemble is having a great time bringing this IQ deficient menagerie of colorful crooks to energetic life.

There’s a reckless joy in watching these misguided miscreants bump into one another both literally and figuratively. I’m glad I decided to give this gem a rewatch. It’s filled with poetically rich dialogue and some of the best character work, certainly of the 80’s but quite possibly of any decade. It was fun seeing these future Oscar winners cutting up and getting stupid and I got a few belly laughs in the process. Check it out and see for yourself how well it’s held up over time.