Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark '80s comedy with slapstick and sexual content.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Throw Momma from the Train
What's the Story?
Larry (Billy Crystal) is a writer suffering an acute case of writer's block; his ex-wife stole his last manuscript and submitted it under her name and is now a best-selling celebrity author because of it. Larry is also a creative writing professor at a nearby community college where he teaches Owen (Danny DeVito), a middle-aged man who still lives at home with his mean mother. After discussing the shortcomings of a mystery story Owen turned in to class, and how Owen should study Hitchcock to understand the mechanics of great mysteries, the conversation turns to how Larry wishes his ex-wife would be murdered, and how Owen wishes his mother would be killed. As he watches the Hitchcock movie Strangers on a Train, Owen thinks he understands what Larry wants, so Owen flies to Hawaii-where Larry's ex-wife lives -- and kills her. He returns home, demanding that Larry return the favor.
Is It Any Good?
THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN, like many '80s comedies, isn't exactly timeless. It's as much a vehicle for Billy Crystal and Danny DeVito to goof off and engage in pratfalls and quip-offs as it is a kinda dark comedy about double murder. While it's nice to see DeVito play someone who isn't a total jerk (like in Taxi or It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), the chemistry between DeVito and Crystal is just as likely to fall flat as it is to succeed.
Many of the one-liners ("She's not a woman....she's the Terminator!" says Crystal after being knocked to the floor with a cane to the crotch) are as dated as white high-top Reeboks. There are some good twists and turns here, and in spite of everything, you do actually find yourself hoping Larry and Owen end up OK in the end. But even if the voice of Momma echoes in your head for days after, nothing else of much substance sticks after the movie ends.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about "dark comedies." What does that mean? Where does the humor originate?
How does this movie characterize women? Are there any stereotypes in this movie? Is it ever OK to use stereotypes for humor?
Who is the audience for this movie? How can you tell?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 31, 2005
- Cast : Anne Ramsey , Billy Crystal , Danny DeVito
- Director : Danny DeVito
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Transportation ( Trains )
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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