The Ladykillers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of guys try to rob a casino but keep getting foiled by the world’s most religious landlady and accidentally killing themselves in hilariously absurd ways.

🍿 The Ladykillers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Professor’s Plan

Professor G.H. Dorr, a self-proclaimed intellectual with a penchant for Edgar Allan Poe, arrives in Saucier, Mississippi, seeking a room to rent. He finds the perfect place with Marva Munson, a devout, elderly widow. He presents himself as a musician and convinces her to let him use her basement for rehearsals with his ensemble.

Assembling the Crew

Dorr’s ensemble is, in reality, a ragtag group of criminals. They include Gawain MacSam, an inside man at the local riverboat casino; Garth Pancake, an explosives expert with IBS; ‘The General’, a quiet Vietnamese tunneling expert; and Lump Hudson, a dim-witted former football player. Their plan is to tunnel from Mrs. Munson’s basement into the casino’s vault.

Complications Arise

The heist is riddled with comedic mishaps. Gawain is fired, Pancake accidentally blows off a finger, and the tunnel construction is noisy, requiring the group to play loud classical music to mask their activities. Despite these setbacks, they successfully breach the casino vault and steal the money.

The Discovery

After the heist, Pancake triggers an explosion to collapse the tunnel, but a malfunction leads to a chaotic and destructive event. Mrs. Munson discovers the tunnel and the stolen money. Outraged, she demands that Dorr return the money and repent, threatening to call the police if he refuses.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Professor G.H. Dorr (Tom Hanks): A charming but eccentric Southern professor who masterminds a casino heist while posing as a musician.
• Marva Munson (Irma P. Hall): A religious and sharp-witted elderly widow who unwittingly becomes the landlady to a group of inept criminals.
• Gawain MacSam (Marlon Wayans): The foul-mouthed ‘inside man’ with a conflicted conscience who works as a janitor at the casino.
• Garth Pancake (J.K. Simmons): The explosives expert with irritable bowel syndrome whose mishaps constantly threaten the heist.
• The General (Tzi Ma): A quiet but deadly Vietnamese donut cook who is the tunneling and garroting expert of the group.
• Lump Hudson (Ryan Hurst): The dim-witted but physically imposing former football player who serves as the muscle for the criminal gang.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Professor G.H. Dorr: “Madam, we must have waffles! We must all have waffles forthwith!” – Professor Dorr insists on waffles at a Waffle Hut, showcasing his verbose and eccentric personality.
• Marva Munson: “I will not have you using profanity in my house!” – Mrs. Munson’s recurring reprimand to Gawain, highlighting her strict moral code and intolerance of vulgar language.
• Professor G.H. Dorr: “A criminal is entitled to a modicum of relaxation.” – Professor Dorr uses grandiose language to justify their criminal activities.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $39,799,191
• Worldwide Gross: $76,666,133

💥 The Ladykillers Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘The Ladykillers’ in college and just being blown away by the Coen brothers’ unique style. Tom Hanks’ performance as Professor Dorr is so over-the-top, but somehow it works perfectly. Irma P. Hall is a treasure, and the way the criminals meet their demise is both darkly funny and satisfying. It’s a quirky movie that always makes me laugh.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Coen Brothers films”
  • “Those who enjoy dark comedies”
  • “Tom Hanks fans”
  • “Viewers interested in heist movies with a comedic twist”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Comic violence”
  • “Brief drug references”
  • “Thematic elements involving death”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “The Ladykillers is a quirky, dark comedy that relies heavily on its characters. Tom Hanks is brilliant, even if his accent is a bit much. The supporting cast is equally strong, especially Irma P. Hall.
• Rolling Stone: “The Coen brothers’ remake of The Ladykillers is an uneven affair. The humor is broad, and the pacing is off. While Tom Hanks delivers a memorable performance, the film never quite gels into a cohesive whole.
• Variety: “Though it diverges significantly from the original, The Ladykillers offers plenty of Coen-esque charm. Tom Hanks is a hoot and Irma P. Hall adds warmth and strength. Overall an eccentric and visually striking film.

Audience Reactions

Irma P. Hall steals the show as the sharp-tongued, God-fearing landlady.: The performances, especially Tom Hanks and Irma P. Hall, are universally praised.

The Coen brothers’ signature dark humor is in full effect, offering many laugh-out-loud moments.: Fans of the Coen brothers appreciate the film’s quirky style and unique brand of comedy.

Overall Consensus: While not considered one of the Coen brothers’ masterpieces, The Ladykillers offers a unique and entertaining dark comedy experience, driven by strong performances and quirky humor.

Awards

1. Black Movie Awards (Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role)- 2005

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Tom Hanks chose not to watch the original 1955 film before filming to avoid influencing his performance.”
• “Filming primarily took place in Natchez, Mississippi, to capture the Southern setting and atmosphere.”
• “The Coen Brothers incorporated gospel music into the soundtrack to highlight the Southern setting and Mrs. Munson’s religious character.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Ladykillers?

The Ladykillers (2004) is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video (purchase or rental), Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also widely available through online retailers like Amazon and at most major stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Ladykillers, you might like these similar films:

• The Ladykillers (1955): The original British black comedy that this film is a remake of, offering a different take on the same story.
• O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000): Another Coen Brothers film with a Southern setting, quirky characters, and a blend of comedy and crime.
• Small Time Crooks (2000): A Woody Allen comedy about a group of inept criminals whose plans are complicated by an unlikely circumstance.

🛒 The Ladykillers Related Products

• The Ladykillers (2004) [Blu-ray]: Own the physical copy of the movie in high definition to revisit the Coen brothers’ dark comedy whenever you want.
• The Ladykillers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Enjoy the toe-tapping gospel music featured in the film, adding depth and soul to the Southern setting. Available as a digital download.
• Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales and Poems: Dive into the world of Edgar Allan Poe, whose work is referenced in the film. Explore his iconic tales of horror and mystery in this collection.
• Coen Brothers Collection (Blu-ray): An amazing collection of great movies by the Coen Brothers, like Fargo, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother, Where Art Thou?.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Ladykillers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Come, Let Us Go Back to God” – performed by The Soul Stirrers
• “Trouble of This World” – performed by Mahalia Jackson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Ladykillers (2004) – Lump and the Sackbut

Prepare for a chuckle with this iconic scene from the Coen Brothers’ crime comedy, where Lump’s unique musical talent takes center stage!

The Directors Who Mastered The Art Of The Minor Character

Unlock the secrets behind the Coen Brothers’ exceptional ability to create unforgettable minor characters. This video essay delves into their techniques, using examples from “The Ladykillers” and beyond.

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