Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

Director: Danny DeVito

Starring: Billy Crystal, Danny DeVito, Anne Ramsey

Larry is an embittered writing lecturer, whose wife ran off with his only completed script, claimed it as her own and became a millionaire. Owen is one of his students, whose life is dominated by his overbearing mother. A potentially lethal misunderstanding occurs when Owen mistakenly believes they have struck a bargain to swap murders, with Larry bumping off his mum and Owen getting rid of Larry’s troublesome wife.

‘Throw Momma from the Train’ is a hilarious spoof of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Strangers on a Train’. The casting couldn’t have been more perfect – especially Anne Ramsey, who is absolutely fantastic as the overbearing Mother.

Billy Crystal stars as writer Larry, who suffers from writer’s block after his divorce from Margaret. Margaret has just published a best seller, and Larry claims she stole his idea. He hates her.

Danny DeVito stars as Owen, one of Larry’s literature students, who looks after his Mother – simply referred to as Momma. Momma never stops complaining and belittling Owen, and he fantasizes about killing her. Momma is a character you’re going to love to hate, but also can’t really.

Having watched the movie ‘Strangers on a Train’, Owen then suggests Larry must kill Momma, while he will kill Margaret, thus eliminating a motive. Hilarity ensues after a series of misunderstandings, and Larry finds himself a suspect in murder.

All is not what it seems, though, and will be revealed, but no spoilers here! This is an entertaining movie with interesting characters that’s bound to put a smile on your face. By the end, its actually a really sweet movie.

‘Throw Momma from the Train’ earned nearly $56 million on a $14 million budget. Anne Ramsey deservedly received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Would I watch it again? Yeah, I guess I would.