Dir. Richard Benjamin
Writ. David Giler
Act. Tom Hanks, Shelly Long, Alexander Godunov

It is hard for the movie watcher, especially a young one, to imagine Tom Hanks as anything other than an Academy Award ® actor. However, before the 1990's and the movies Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, there were the 1980's. In those 1980's Tom Hanks was a comedic actor with such classics under his belt as Bachelor Party, Turner & Hooch, and one of my favorite movies, The Money Pit. This is a very 80's movie that requires very little acting and lots of physical comedy, which Hanks was very good for a prat fall or two. The Money Pit is another movie where you gleefully take your brain out sit back and enjoy the laughs.

Walter Fielding, played by Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan,) is a New York lawyer who is paying back the debt created by his father, a fellow lawyer, who ran off to Brazil with millions of dollars and a 20 something wife. Fielding is also involved with Anna, played by Shelly Long (80's TV show Cheers,) who plays for the symphony. Together they decide to buy a home for what appears to be a steal. As they move into the home, the place starts to fall apart and they both begin to realize that they have wasted all of their money. As the months go by and the house gets worked on, the relationship is falling apart as Anna is forced to deal with her ex-husband Max, played by Alexander Godunov (Die Hard,) who is also the conductor of the symphony, to try and get money to help pay for the house.

There is a lot of physical comedy that to my surprise Hanks is very good. He has always been very witty in his roles and this one is written perfectly for his comedic talents. He also works very well with Long, which is surprising because she left her popular TV series to try the movies and did a miserable job at it. Hanks clearly outclasses her in acting but she does nothing to embarrass her self in this role. It is just fortunate that Hanks was in the movie. I also like actor Alexander Godunov in this film. He was delightful as the arrogant conductor and he played so well that it makes me wonder if he brought anything from his former life as a professional dancer to the character because it was very entertaining.

The writing was up to 80's standards for comedies. By that, I mean that there are lots of physical comedy and many unrealistic outrageous scenes that are put together that just cause you to laugh your ass off. David Giler wrote this script, which is interesting because he is one of the producers for the Alien movies.

The Money Pit is yet another movie in which Tom Hanks carries the day in this very silly 80's comedy. If you leave your brain at the door, you will find this a very enjoyable movie and one that you will want to add to your collection because it is very hard to believe that Tom Hanks can be in something so ridiculous.

Brian - the Naked Gun