Welcome to the first DVD review for the Boutique. Got your popcorn ready?
DROWNING MONA REVIEW
Released in 2000
Directed by Nick Gomez
Written by Peter Steinfeld
Bette Midler: Mona Dearly
Danny DeVito: Chief Wyatt Rash
Neve Campbell: Ellen Rash
Jamie Lee Curtis: Rona Mace
Casey Affleck: Bobby Calzone
William Fichtner: Phil Dearly
Marcus Thomas: Jeff Dearly
DVD Special Features include feature-length director commentary, deleted scenes with director commentary, theatrical trailers for various movies cast members were involved with, and talent files.
When I first saw the trailer for Drowning Mona, I knew it was a movie I really wanted to see, seeing that I’m a fan of dark comedies. I never did get to the theater to see it, since it really wasn’t out long and, hell, I’ve just got an aversion to paying over $7 for a movie when I can wait a few months and watch it on cable in the comfort of my own home. Anyway, I finally did see the movie when it appeared on the Starz! movie network about a year later. It was dark comedy I was expecting, and I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, this was one of those movies that I watched over and over again (and if any of you have the Starz! channels, you know how often movies are repeated), always finding something new to laugh at.
So, what is Drowning Mona about? Let’s just say it starts off with the character in the title, Mona Dearly (played to perfection by Bette Midler), being killed off after the opening credits, after her brakes fail in her Yugo (incidentally, it’s mentioned at the beginning of the movie that the Yugo Company chose Verplanck, New York, the town in the movie, as the test market for its vehicles), causing her to careen over an embankment into the river, whereby she drowns (hence, the title of the movie!) While it seems bizarre to kill off a main character so early on, the main plot of the movie revolves around Verplanck Chief of Police Wyatt Rash (Danny DeVito, who actually plays the “straight man” in this movie) trying to solve the mystery of Mona’s death, particularly after it’s discovered that the Yugo’s brakes were tampered with, making this a murder investigation. As you will see throughout the course of the movie, it seemed like everybody in Verplank could be a suspect, because as we see in flashbacks, Mona Dearly is hardly considered a “dear” by anyone. In fact, she’s known as the meanest woman in town and it appears that there was no good reason not to wish her dead. And this includes her “loving” family, husband Phil and son Jeff.
Of all the characters in the movie, these two would be the most likely suspects, in particular Phil Dearly (played by William Fichtner), your basic henpecked husband who’s having a little fling on the side with local diner waitress Rona (Jamie Lee Curtis). Then, there is one-handed son Jeff (played by Marcus Thomas), a slow-witted, ne’er-do-well still living at home as an adult (his age is never given), playing his guitar, though now being one-handed, not being too successful at it (by the way, you’ll love seeing not only the theories about how Jeff’s hand was amputated, but especially seeing how it was REALLY done, making him seem justified in wanting revenge). Oh, but Jeff does have a job, as a partner in a small landscaping business with Bobby Calzone (played by a blond Casey Affleck to air-headed excellence). Bobby just so happens to be engaged to Ellen (Neve Campbell in a wonderfully daft performance), who is Chief Rash’s daughter. See how everything all fits together?
Now, I don’t want to give too much away (this is to get you to see the movie, after all), but I’ll say the movie consists of the investigation into Mona’s death, interspersed with flashbacks of Mona and her interactions with others, leading to possible motives each character would have in the killing of Mrs. Dearly. And trust me, most everybody has one, and even the nicest people can be moved to desperate things due to this woman.
This movie contains death, a suicide attempt, attempted murder, infidelity, a somewhat incestuous love triangle, some very bizarre sexual activity, drunk driving, attacking an officer of the law, dismemberment, possible statutory rape, homosexual kissing, animal abuse (have I left out any sin?). And remember, it’s a COMEDY!! Actually, it is very funny, but keep in mind, this is a black comedy, meaning if you wanted a feel-good movie where everybody lives happily ever after and loves each other, then this movie might not be for you. In fact, one complaint I heard from someone who tried to watch it was that there was too much yelling, particularly by Bette Midler’s Mona, and this person just didn’t consider that entertainment.
What makes this film work, to me, is the cast. All actors in major and minor roles do an outstanding job at delivering the comedy. I couldn’t picture anybody but Midler in the role of Mona Dearly. She has the perfect voice of a shrew, plus her comic abilities really shine through this character. Meryl Streep may be able to do the character well, but she doesn’t look like a really mean woman, the way Midler can pull off looking. And forget somebody like Michelle Pfeiffer or Julia Roberts trying this role. They wouldn’t be convincingly mean and nasty enough. As Phil Dearly, William Fichtner has the perfect look of droopy eyes, giving that pathetic look, like the poor guy who has to deal with this woman, yet he also has that smarmy look, where you know he’s up to no good. His voice is also perfect, with his stammering when he’s not feeling confident, which was often around Mona. Marcus Thomas had the sneering moron face that could easily turn into the sad puppy-dog face, really accentuating that not only wasn’t he the brightest bulb, but you could really see the effects of his mom’s combination of babying him and abusing him to the point where he never really grew up to be a functional adult. Jamie Lee Curtis played Rona with the swagger of a rock star (it was hinted that she was a musician ala Suzie Quatro or Joan Jett at one point) with the defeatism of now having to work in a diner “that doesn’t encourage tipping!!” It would seem she’s the smartest person in town, until you see with whom she decides to hook up. And then there’s Bobby Calzone, a very sweet but slightly dim and very whiny young man, with Affleck’s whiny vocalizations being so right for that character, plus his girlfriend Ellen, played by Neve Campbell, who does surprisingly well at subtle comedy. Then there’s Danny DeVito, usually more known for more showy comedic performances, playing Chief Rash in a very calm and many times befuddled manner, trying to figure out all the accusations everybody is making at each other and trying to figure out which accusation is true. The minor characters are no slouches, either, and bring so much added comedy to the film. There’s Bobby’s older brother Murph, played somewhat sleazily by Mark Pellegrino; the drunken priest, played by Raymond O’Connor; Clarence the Fisherman, played by Tracy Walter (who plays a very pivotal role in the movie); the tow truck driver with questionable sexuality, Lucinda, played by Kathleen Wilhoite (check out her “Ballad of Mona Dearly,” which the actress/singer composed herself); Lieutenant Feege Gruber, played with appropriate swagger by Peter Dobson (his “he-man” pose as he’s answering the phone at the beginning of the film and his “cop talk” show how seriously he takes the image of a tough cop without actually BEING one); and most memorable, the kinky and bizarre funeral director Cubby, played flawlessly by Will Ferrell (this guy is a comic genius!).
Also what works is the way the town of Verplanck is presented. While it is never mentioned when this story is supposed to take place, you get the impression at first that it’s the ‘70s, judging by Rona’s shag haircut and Phil Dearly’s Mike Brady afro and sideburns, plus a soundtrack very heavy on Three Dog Night classics, plus the classic early electronica piece “Popcorn” and, hilariously, the worst song ever recorded (in my opinion anyway), “Jeans On” by David Dundas from ‘77, which is appropriately playing when Phil Dearly is driving with his Wheel of Fortune board game for his rendezvous with Rona. However, with references to Madonna, Jeff’s Megadeth t-shirt, and the Yugos themselves (it’s said the decision to give the town Yugos, personalized licensed plates and all, was made in 1987), plus the date on the tombstone listing Mona dying is 1990, means the movie had to have taken place in 1990 or 1991. Let’s just say the impression that’s being put forward is that the town is somewhat in a time warp. Well, hell, the town is just plain warped!
Perhaps the strongest element of Drowning Mona is the dialogue, which consists of so many great one-liners, much of it improvised by the cast. One particularly great scene is when Bobby and brother Murph are at the local drinking hole, The Hideaway, which Murph owns. The brothers are discussing Bobby’s upcoming nuptials, where chicken has been ordered for the meal, only with the bones in. Bobby is wondering if Murph can take out all the bones in the chicken, rather than having to go to the extra expense of purchasing boneless chicken. After Murph goes on to state how much work yanking out all those chicken bones would be, Bobby asks him that as the best man, “Couldn’t you just…just do a brotherly de-boning?” (in the director’s commentary, this line was ad-libbed by Affleck).
All in all, this is a movie with a very despicable title character and some really questionable characters, all who seem to be attracted to this anachronistic town. Even the “good” folks like Bobby, Chief Rash (incidentally, Wyatt Rash comes out as “white trash” when you sound it out), and in particular Clarence have something a little sinister hidden beneath the surface. One good example of this is with tow truck driver Lucinda trying to gouge the police department when Rash comes to her for information on possible tampering of Mona’s car (in a bit part, Brian Doyle-Murray, who plays one of her employees, asks “Are you gonna charge him double?” and she responds “You know it!”, with both of them laughing after that). But you know what? It’s funny as hell!! If you like your comedies a little on the dark side (think Heathers and Eating Raoul), I highly recommend this movie for you. I would have to say this is Bette Midler’s darkest role since The Rose (and that was a pretty heavy drama). Now, if you’re expecting a comedy with “family friendly” humor, you won’t find that here, unless it’s dysfunctional family humor you want. But hey, there is a happy ending, though it comes about in somewhat of a twisted way. Be sure to check out the feature length director’s commentary (which contains tidbits such as Affleck having to don a blond wig to make the Bobby character seem more “innocent” and the contrast in lighting to depict the mood between the main story scenes and the flashbacks with Mona) and deleted scenes, which includes one that director Nick Gomez figured was too dark even for this already black comedy. Also, be sure to pay attention to various things in the background, which most likely requires multiple viewings. But then again, this is a film where you can always find something to enjoy with each viewing.
Incidentally, this is the first movie I shared with someone very special when we first met last year. I know, it seems odd to show a comedy like this rather than a love story, but given our sense of humor, it really was perfect.
Strongest Part: The cast, dialogue, time-warp setting
Weakest Part: Might be too vicious for some people, not appropriate for children
Strongest Performance(s): Bette Midler as Mona Dearly, Will Ferrell as Cubby
Weakest Performance: Though no performance is weak, Danny DeVito as Wyatt Rash has the fewest comedic moments, merely reacting to others rather than creating his own.
* * * * *
COOL LINKS
REALITY UPDATE
Hey, I managed to get one prediction right, thought it WAS a no-brainer. Anyhoo, for last week’s show, the reward challenged involved various family members competing in the gross food eating competition. The prize? A chance to spend time with the tribemate’s loved one. With the likes of eating live bugs and rancid fish being consumed, the end winner winds up being Big Tom’s son (now is anybody surprised by that? For the record, this guy really is a chip off the old block). Tom was then told he could pick another tribemate to spend time with a loved one, and Tom chose ROB and his brother (ARRRRGGHHHHH!!!!! What IS it about this guy?!) This may be where Tom tried to stay in good graces with Rob, which, let’s face it, will do him no good in the long run. Oh, and it seems that Ms. Jenna is getting on everybody’s last nerves with her bossiness, particularly when she gripes that Rupert wanted to pick out the first fish to eat, fish HE caught. Even mild-mannered Rupert was getting annoyed, saying he regretted getting into an alliance with her. Shii Ann, of course, was trying some last-ditch efforts to get some kind of alliance going, or at least stir some things up for the very complacent tribe.
For the immunity challenge, each member had to build a fire, which would connect with a rope on one end, with a holey bucket that was to be filled with water balancing out the other end. The goal was to make sure enough water was in the bucket to lift up the other end and have the lit end light up an object. Oh, and each person had to make sure the fire was still lit. Talk about multi-tasking! While off to an early start, Boston Rob ran out of matches early on (HA!!). Actually, because of the windy conditions, it was hard for everybody to maintain a fire. Shii Ann came close, but Big Tom ended up winning immunity this round. Even with the last-minute attempts at alliance building, Shii Ann knew her days were numbered and she gave a big speech at Tribal Council warning the others not to be too complacent or victory would be out of their reach (let’s face it, the others won’t heed her advice). In a 5-to-1 vote, Shii Ann is voted off.
Okay, we’re now getting down to the nitty gritty. I predict this week, Rupert will FINALLY win immunity (I can only hope), but I think it will be Jenna who will go, not Boston Rob or Amber. Nobody has yet seemed to figure out to get rid of one of these people. Since the finale is this Sunday, I will be doing a mini-update to not only list this week’s highlights, but to make some predictions about how the Final Four will turn out. Stay tuned!
CONCLUSION
I hope you enjoyed the first movie review in the Boutique. Next week’s full column will be a Reality Update wrap-up of “Survivor All-Stars,” talking about the highs and lows and how different the Survivors were this time in comparison to their old shows.
Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll chat the next time.
MADAME TIZZY
