The Addams Family (1991)

The year is 1991 and after a tv-show many years prior, the eccentric Addams Family gets a full length film, courtesy of Barry Sonnenfeld. If you have never heard of this family, it is at its core, rather easy to follow: the Addams's are a close family unit that support each other through thick and thin. They just have a penchant for the bizarre and macabre, making them outcasts of the real world, but they exist in an almost parallel society where 'weird' is normal.

Also, they kept their classic look, which makes them feel both out of time and timeless.

A crooked accountant want to get his hands on the family fortune and to that end, he employs the aid of a nasty woman and her son, who bears a striking resemblance to a long lost Addams' brother. But all is not what it seems, as you will soon discover when watching this little flick.

This is one of those films where Barry Sonnenfeld really hits the mark, but that is due for the largest part to the magnificent casting. I mean, come on: Raul Julia as Gomez? Anjelica Huston as Morticia? Christopher Lloyd as Fester? How could you have picked better actors for these parts?

I don't know. Nor why there are so many question in the last paragraph.

Especially the chemistry between Gomez and Morticia is spot on, as the couple that is still beyond smitten with each other and despite their quirks, you do believe the warm relationship they have. Julia plays Gomez loud and brash, like Clark Gable on steroids but nothing as misogynistic, fortunately. My favourite has always been Huston as Morticia, who is delightfully funny, because she understates pretty much everything. You would almost expect her to wink surreptitiously all the time, but that would not fit the character.

Also: how could you not fall in love with this Morticia? Come on, be honest.

The kids are also great, even though I do think they get a lot better in the much maligned sequel (we will get to that one as well sometime). Seeing a very young Christina Ricci as Wednesday is both endearing and a little chilling, because she pulls it off so masterfully.

In short, this is a real blast to watch. If you like your humour a little 'off', you will love this. It puts a big smile on your face from start to finish.

And good luck trying to get the title song out of your head. You will be snapping your fingers for a whole week.