The Money Pit
- Review Date: April 11, 2007
- Rated: PG
- Genre: Comedy
- Release Year: 1986
- Running Time: 91 minutes
What parents need to know
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this comedy, although PG, has several mature themes and conversations. The couple played by Tom Hanks and Shelley Long fool around in bed -- with their construction crew looking on in one case. They kiss many times throughout the movie and have conversations about sex, drinking and ending their relationship. Some of the comments may go over young kids' heads, however. The humor consists of Hanks (and in a few cases Long) getting hurt in a variety of elaborate ways during their hellish home renovation. If made today, this slapstick comedy would be rated PG-13.
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What's the story?
Tom Hanks plays Walter, an entertainment lawyer living in a fabulous Manhattan apartment with his girlfriend Anna (Shelley Long), a classical musician. When Anna's ex, an egotistical conductor (the stunning dancer-turned-actor Alexander Godunov) returns from abroad, the couple loses their place. Unluckily for them, their realtor finds them a gorgeous mansion upstate. The house, they find out, is anything but a steal -- it's literally crumbling to pieces, usually on top of Walter and Anna. As they begin the laborious but process of fixing up the house, anything that can possibly go wrong does, from Walter missing the house inspector because he's stuck in a hole in the floor to Anna getting attacked by a raccoon living in the dumbwaiter. In between all of the construction mishaps, Walter and Anna's relationship ends up needing some improvements as well. Will they survive their money pit or crumble like their old foundation?
Is it any good?
Whether or not you're a fan of broad comedies, you won't be able to keep from laughing out loud in this one, especially since Hanks proves a genius with the physical humor. Nowadays, with the exception of the occasional romantic comedy or animated character, Hanks tends to star in big-budget dramas or action thrillers. But as all but the youngest of moviegoers know, in the '80s Hanks was a comedian extraordinaire, starring in laughfests like the home-improvement comedy THE MONEY PIT. This being an '80s comedy, the happy ending is all but guaranteed.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about persevering despite many obstacles. Anna and Walter take turns bemoaning the purchase of their new home. How does the home improvement project change their relationship? Was buying the house a risk that paid off? Kids: would you want to live in the Money Pit house? Also, do you think Tom Hanks is better in comedies or dramas? Is there any evidence here that the comic Hanks would end up to be a big Oscar winner?
Movie details
| Theatrical release date: | March 26, 1986 |
| DVD release date: | February 4, 2003 |
| Cast: | Alexander Godunov, Shelley Long, Tom Hanks |
| Director: | Richard Benjamin |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 91 minutes |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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Good for those in double figures!
Perfect Tom Hanks Film!!
