There Goes the Neighborhood (1992)

The Worst Film Ever

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Absolutely Fantastic

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Prison psychologist Willis Embry (Jeff Daniels) is told by dying inmate Tricks about a hidden mob loot. Lyle Corrente (Chazz Palminteri) overhears the conversation and escapes with Handsome Harry (Jonathan Banks) and Marvin Boyd (Harris Yulin). They almost kill Willis. The three criminals take over the home of the Rutledges (Hector Elizondo, Judith Ivey). Willis convinces divorcee Jessie Lodge (Catherine O'Hara) to dig in her basement. Their married suburban neighbors Lydia Nunn (Rhea Perlman) and Jeffrey Babitt (Dabney Coleman) start to notice the commotion.This is a great diverse cast. There are some good comedic actors but the laughs are limited. While it's not overtly awful, it does fall flat for the most part. Writer/director Bill Phillips struggles to put together some traditional jokes. It's a lot of slightly quirky situations in a comedic crime story that never amounts to actual laughing. Hector Elizondo's reveal is head-scratching. I don't think it works and it leaves the flow bumpy.

The thing that stood out in my mind, is the pool scene between Marty and the new buyer of the house. Marty was in therapy, groping the wife's leg, only to find she is in therapy too, asks if it hurts, then she returns the favor. ;) How dumb was the husband? HA HA. Then 'hubby breaks the pool' like it was hubby's fault. ;) The struggling of Mary Gross's character (of the attention she was getting) as she fell for Marty's ploy and her groping his thigh, wish I find a woman like that. It was my favorite classic scene of the whole movie. This movie did help Catherine O'Hara in being picked for the "Home Alone" movies. Jeff Daniels character proved himself in love for a woman to be betrayed by his girlfriend, only to be with Ms. O'Hara. :) Good love ending. P.D. or Penelopy Diane sweet blond wife wanting a man with money vs good girl Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels wanting happiness with or without the money. (Which proves love wins out over ill gotten wealth.) I think I want to be a real estate agent! ha ha. :)

A deep cast playing wacky characters makes this a fun film for most of the way, except the last 20-30 minutes when the sleazy jokes, sleazy situations and stupid stereotypes go overboard and almost ruin the entire viewing experience. (Why do movies usually overdo things in the last 20 minutes, whether it's comedy or an action film?)All the sex jokes are not untypical of today's comedies in which marriage is made out to be nothing but a joke, morals are at their lowest and we have to listen to 10-year-olds are smart-mouthed kids. However, to be fair, there are a lot of funny scenes and remarks in this film. I liked Catherine O'Hara in here, along with Hector Elizondo and Chazz Palminteri. I never realized the latter was such a good comedian as I had only seen him play gangster roles. All the characters are meant to be absurd and biggest example of that was Elizondo's character, "Norman Rutledge" who had the best lines in the movie. In all, ludicrous and stupid but entertaining enough to recommend a rental.

I'd give this movie an 8 for an original story, good acting, and some funny moments. The movie is certainly not a classic, but Jeff Daniels and Catherine O'Hara are both excellent and the movie has some genuinely funny moments.The thing that really makes this movie, though, is the supporting cast. Jeremy Piven has a funny, albeit small role. Hector Elizondo is funny as a scheming husband. Chazz Palminteri shows off some comedy chops and has some funny moments. While the gangsters are stereotypical, it does result in some laughs.Overall, this movie won't be among the all time greats nor will it necessarily make your top 10, but it is a good, funny movie to watch and worth the price of a rental.