How the Coen brothers turned a British classic into a dark Southern gospel comedy
In short: In their 2004 remake of the 1955 Ealing comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen relocate a heist gone wrong to the American South. Featuring a star-studded cast and a soundtrack steeped in gospel, the film explores the chaotic demise of a criminal gang outmatched by a pious, elderly widow.
The 2004 version of The Ladykillers marks a unique milestone in the careers of Joel and Ethan Coen. It was their first remake and the first film where they shared both directing and producing credits. The project originated when producer Tom Jacobson acquired the rights in 1995. Originally intended for director Barry Sonnenfeld, the Coens were initially hired only as screenwriters. When Sonnenfeld stepped down in 2002, the brothers took over directing duties, with Sonnenfeld transitioning to a producer role.
The plot follows Professor Goldthwaite Higginson Dorr, played by Tom Hanks, who rents a room from the religious widow Mrs. Marva Munson. Under the guise of rehearsing early music, his gang of specialists—a football player, a demolitions expert with IBS, a janitor, and a tunneling expert—attempts to rob a nearby riverboat casino. Their plan involves digging a tunnel from Mrs. Munson's cellar, disposing of the dirt by tossing it onto a passing garbage barge. The film replaces the original's goods train with this barge, which ultimately serves as the final resting place for the entire gang after a series of absurd, fatal mishaps.
Critical reception was mixed, with many reviewers unfavorably comparing the film to the 1955 British original. While Roger Ebert praised Irma P. Hall's performance as Mrs. Munson, he felt other roles were cartoonishly over-the-top. Despite the criticism, the film grossed $76 million worldwide. The production is notable for its atmospheric soundtrack, curated by T Bone Burnett, which eschews Renaissance music in favor of a mix of vintage and contemporary African American gospel, helping to anchor the story in its modern Southern setting.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Ladykillers (2004 film)
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