Crimewave (1985, Raimi)

In all honesty, I only decided to give this film a go because of what seemed like a fantastic pairing - Sam Raimi directing a Coens script. All of the usual elements of both filmakers are there - but they exist in a state of heightened (and just plain stupid) scewball reality. The film is cheesy, cartoonish and very unique. It is full of comic sound effect and "Aww, jee shucks" character moments. Existing in a state of constant exaggeration, you come to realise that the closest any other film has come to this was probably Jim Carrey's "The Mask", which benefited in no small measure from very good special effects and even Carrey's charming likeability. Despite "Crimewave" having just such a character, the goofy, nerdy Vic, who wants the beautiful Nancy to like him, the film is never consistent with either its jokes, its script or its overly-stylized directing.

As far as plot goes, it is about a nice, innocent man (Vic) caught up in a murder plot set into motion by a greedy business man, and undertaken by two goofy, loony 'exterminators'. As offbeat a plot element as that might be for slapstick, the film also features dancing, romance and bad weather - oh what a royal mess! The pure absurdist level at which this film exists just makes it very hard to like, but in all honesty, it also becomes difficult to completely detest.

Rating: 1.5/5

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