The Addams Family

Cast: Raul Julia, Anjelica Houstan, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci and Jimmy Workman.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Release Date: 1991

Running Time: 1hr 39 minutes

Genre: Family

Rating: PG

Synopsis:

Con artists plan to fleece an eccentric family using an accomplice who claims to be their long lost uncle.

I have a confession. I may or may have not seen this film a ridiculous amount of times. I may have even seen the stage show. One things for sure. It's a favourite. Based on the cartoons by Charles Addams and the hit TV show of the same name. Barry Sonnenfeld delivers his directorial debut in this magnificent film adaptation. Fester Addams dissapeared twenty-five years ago. The Addams's have been running an annual seance ever since in the hope that he will return. Their wish is granted when on their twenty-fifth seance, Fester turns up. Gomez however is not convinced believing the man claiming to be his long lost brother is a con artist just out to steal his wealth.

Adapting a cartoon and a TV show into a film can be challenging. A couple of changes have been made. The Addams mansion was originally set in a street. The idea to have it set in the suburbs away from neighbours gives the story an element of surprise and mystery. Lurch used to talk and play the organ in the show. Although he is seen playing the organ at the beginning of the film, he doesn't speak once. Pugsley and Wednesday Addams were younger in the show, however the idea to have them older in the movie works and allows for character development. Although these changes were made, an awful lot has kept in to keep in tone and remembrance with the show and cartoon.

The actors deliver remarkable characterisation through-out the film. Christopher Lloyd delivers a tremendous performance as Uncle Fester Addams. Originally his character in the show was Morticia's uncle. The idea to have him as Gomez's brother in the film works, it adds an element of mystery to his character and allows the role to be adapted to film. Gomez is performed beautifully by Raul Julia. Gomez is thought to be a multi-billionaire who's parenting tactics aren't always on point. In the show he didn't seem to care much that his children were not in school or that they should even be attending. Laidback and rich, he always did have an infinite love for trains. It's fantastic that this was incorporated into the film from the show.

The production designers deserve the highest praise for the set design on this film. There are so many intricate details in each and every scene. You really believe what you are seeing with this film. Very rarely do you watch a film and notice something different everytime. Director Barry Sonnenfeld deserves a lot of praise for how much effort and work he put into this film to make it as authentic as possible. The TV show was surprisingly light-hearted. The cinematography sets the film for a dark tone. It adds a lot of authenticity to the characters and their background. Cousin It sadly wasn't seen very much throughout the original show. I loved that Barry Sonnenfeld chose to incorporate his character a lot more into the movies. This is a fantastic family film that is suitable for all ages. Creative and fun.

5/5 stars