Is Raising Arizona really over 30 years old? Well in a way that’s a shock, but this film does feel like it’s been with me forever, and I am getting on myself afterall…
As a UK script consultant, script writer for hire and script doctor I’ve said before I’m often confused by the Coen Brother’s and what exactly they’re up to in some films. I think Miller’s Crossing is easily in my favourite films of all time, recently I’ve grown found of Inside Llewyn Davis, The Big Lebwoski is one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen. And this film Raising Arizona has a joy, sweetness and innocence that I adore. It’s almost a children’s cartoon in many respects.
Fargo is great of course, and I’ll mention No Country For Old Men in a second, but as for the rest of the Coen’s output, I’m not sure at all…
There are many great joyful aspects to Raising Arizona; firstly, Nic Cage is great in part that fits him. And was Holly Hunter (a really truly great actress) ever so lovely and funny? The other parts are played to perfection by a smash bang cast (it feels like a Preston Sturges movie at times, because the supporting characters are all so funny, and each get a chance to shine or a single piece of great dialogue…)
Technically cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld would wind up as a director later, his camera work in this film takes a Sam Raimi aesthetic and turns the volume up to 11. But even the art direction and costumes are perfect.
And this is the film where the music of the great Carter Burwell really started to make an impact for the Coens.
Again, just looking back through the IMDb I can see that some people don’t ‘get’ this film at all. They don’t get the film in the way that I don’t get why the Coen’s remade True Grit? Or The Lady Killers- or why they even bothered with Burn After Reading (which came on the back of an almost perfect film they made called – No Country for Old Men?) So I guess the Coen Brothers leave a lot of folks scratching their heads, it’s not just me…
You should watch this film, even if it’s just for a soundtrack made up of some really great yodelling…
Matthew Cooper has been a script writer for hire and script doctor for over 20 years. He’s written for most of the UK soaps, including writing award winning episodes of Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated as a script writer. He’s also a leading UK script consultant. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb. You can get in touch with Matthew on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk or hire him on Peopleperhour
His directorial debut Markham will be released in 2019.