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Summary

Larry Donner, an author with a cruel ex-wife, teaches a writing workshop in which one of his students, Owen, is fed up with his domineering mother. When Owen watches a Hitchcock classic that seems to mirror his own life, he decides to put the movie's plot into action and offers to kill Larry's ex-wife, if Larry promises to murder his mom. Before Larry gets a chance to react to the plan, it seems that Owen has already set things in motion.

Cast

Danny DeVito

Owen / Ned 'Little Ned' Lift

Billy Crystal

Larry Donner

Kim Greist

Beth Ryan

Anne Ramsey

Mrs. Lift

Kate Mulgrew

Margaret

Branford Marsalis

Lester

Rob Reiner

Joel

Bruce Kirby

DeBenedetto

Annie Ross

Mrs. Hazeltine

Oprah Winfrey

Herself

Raye Birk

Pinsky

Olivia Brown

Ms. Gladstone

Joey DePinto

Sargeant

Philip Perlman

Mr. Perlman

Stu Silver

Ramon

J. Alan Thomas

Millington

Randall Miller

Bucky

Andre Rosey Brown

Rosey

Tony Ciccone

Mr. Lopez

Larry McCormick

Announcer

Peter Brocco

Old Man

Hettie Lynne Hurtes

Reporter

Crew

Director

Danny DeVito

Original Film Writer

Patricia Highsmith

Screenplay

Stu Silver

Reviews

r96sk

June 6, 2023

7

A little all over the place, granted, but I still felt entertained by <em>'Throw Momma from the Train'</em>.

Danny DeVito stars in what is his theatrical directorial debut. I chose to watch this because of him being in it, as I want to watch more of his stuff, and he is the film's strongest element, I'd say. Billy Crystal is good too, him and DeVito work nicely together throughout.

Anne Ramsey's character annoyed me a lot, I can't lie. I'm actually flabbergasted to read that the performance got Ramsey an Oscar nomination - 1987 must've been a slow year for Best Supporting Actress. No hate for Ramsey though, btw - happy for her! I know Momma is supposed to be annoying, but she's way too far along that particular scale for me.

The aforementioned is my only complaint, however. It's a good time otherwise, even if I feel like it meanders here and there in setting up each part of the story. It's all worthy of your time, mind.