I Love You to Death (1990)

I wasn't going to bother with a review, because most of the other reviews have already said how funny and wonderful etc. this movie is. But there are a couple of things I'd like to add, so -- I absolutely hate movies advertised as "based on a true story." I literally do not care if a movie is based on a true story. Usually, "based on" is almost meaningless anyway. With this movie, e.g., if you read carefully, it's "very loosely based" on something. Huge numbers of movies are loosely based on something that might've happened or supposedly happened. Telling me it's "based on a true story" instantly puts me off, makes me not want to see the movie at all. If they can't give me a better reason than that to see it, then the hell with it. However, in this case I loved the movie in spite of whatever "loosely based" something there might've been. (I don't know what it was based on and I could care less.) A movie should stand or fall on its own merits. This movie stands tall, it's great. Another thing I'd like to add is, everyone keeps calling it a "black comedy." "Eating Raoul" is a black comedy. "Dr. Strangelove" is a black comedy. To me, "I Love You to Death" is just a quirky off-beat comedy. I won't bore you with what it's about, you already know (or read the other reviews). It's wonderfully written and directed (it amazes me that Lawrence Kasdan could write a "Star Wars" feature and direct such a wonderful comedy). It's mostly wonderfully acted. Kevin Kline and Tracy Ullman are outstanding, William Hurt is hilarious, and James Gammon was absolutely perfect as the detective. Finally, I'll add that I'm a little perplexed by reviewers who disliked the ending. I thought it was the best possible ending, funny and wonderful. P.S. Believe it or not, IMDb tried to claim that I had "spelling mistakes" in this review because I twice used the word "might've." Evidently IMDb does not understand contractions. I find this quite amazing. -- MKM

This movie is super funny and exciting. It is even more exciting for me as the couple's son, in real life, is my teacher. He doesn't talk about this movie, but has hinted at several things related to it. I find it very interesting that people give this movie a poor review and then when they find out it's based on a true story, they love it! I love the irony.It is such an interesting story that I cannot believe would actually happen. This is one of my favorite movies. The characters are portrayed well, which makes the comedy more light-hearted. I love the parts of Keanu Reeves and William Hurt. The movie was funny from the beginning, but they just made it even better.

This movie definitely falls under the genres of black and offbeat humor. While I don't know how much truth went into this movie (it's based on a true story), it still remains an entertaining movie of what not to do when murdering someone; to say the least. The absolute scene stealer is River Phoenix. If you are of the younger generation of movie goer's and found out that Joaquin Phoenix had an Oscar nominated brother, and went...who? Then you definitely have to brush up by watching this movie, just to see the dexterity of one of Hollywood's most tragic acting story. Drama or comedy, it didn't matter; River Phoenix did it, and easily (if you find out you like Phoenix, and you like weird movies; I recommend Silent Tongue, it's also his last performance). Kevin Kline as one of the lead roles is also fascinating; his rendering of a macho, adulterous, ethnic Italian is up to par. If you like weird, somewhat dark movies; this movie is for you. Keanu Reeves, and William Hurt are also stellar in this movie.

I Love You to Death is based on the true story of a woman who's many attempts to have her adulterous husband murdered prove unsuccessful (sort of). Rosalie (Ulman) discovers that her husband, Joey(Klein), a pizza shop owner, is cheating on her. Broken hearted and encouraged by her mother (Plowright), makes plans to bump off that no good husband. So the two women, with the help of her weird, but loyal, new age pizza shop employee (Phoenix), hire a few imbeciles (including cousins Harlan and Marlon--Hurt and Reeves) to do the job. Though the movie morbidly parodies what may not really be something to laugh at, the results are so damn hilarious, making this probably one of the funniest movies I have ever seen -- particularly with Plowright as the sarcastic mother-in-law and Harlan and Marlan as the most dim-witted criminals you've ever seen. Like when Harlan and Marlan are asked to shoot Joey, Harlan says he's going to shoot him in the heart to make it quick. But he can't figure out which side the heart is on. So Marlan suggest reciting the pledge to find out the answer. But they can't even get that right ("...with amber waves of liberty and deliver us from freedom). Or when Marlan says to Harlan "if we keep shooting (Joey), he's going to get suspicious." After a while, you even start to feel sorry for Joey, even if he was a big dumb cheater. It is definitely one hell of an underrated movie. You'll laugh so hard, you'll fart.