The Money Pit Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Couple buys a house that hates them back with a vengeance, leading to slapstick chaos and a sudden, very convenient happy ending.

🍿 The Money Pit: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Bargain of a Lifetime

Walter Fielding, an entertainment lawyer, and Anna Crowley, a classical musician, are struggling to find an affordable place to live in New York City. When a real estate agent friend offers them a seemingly incredible deal on a sprawling mansion, they jump at the opportunity. The catch is that the seller, Estelle, needs to sell quickly and demands cash, raising Walter’s suspicions but ultimately proving irresistible.

Disaster Strikes

Almost immediately after moving in, Walter and Anna realize the mansion is falling apart. From a collapsing staircase to faulty wiring and plumbing, every corner of the house presents a new and dangerous problem. Their initial excitement quickly turns to frustration and mounting expenses. The house becomes a symbol of their increasingly strained relationship.

Renovation Nightmares

As Walter and Anna attempt to renovate the house, they encounter a series of incompetent and dishonest contractors. Each repair seems to create new problems, leading to further costs and delays. The house becomes a ‘money pit,’ draining their finances and testing their patience.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Walter Fielding (Tom Hanks): An entertainment lawyer who impulsively buys a dilapidated house, leading to comedic chaos and financial strain.
• Anna Crowley (Shelley Long): A concert musician and Walter’s girlfriend, who initially supports the house purchase but faces relationship challenges amidst the renovations.
• Estelle (Maureen Stapleton): The seemingly innocent seller of the ‘dream house’, who is actually a con artist looking to quickly unload a problematic property.
• Max Beissart (Alexander Godunov): Anna’s charismatic but self-absorbed ex-husband, who tries to win her back, causing complications in her relationship with Walter.
• Curly (Philip Bosco): The leader of the first and incompetent construction crew, exacerbating the house’s problems rather than solving them.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Walter: “Ahh, home crap home!” – Walter says this sarcastically upon realizing the disastrous state of their new house.
• Curly: “Two weeks!” – Said repeatedly by the contractor Curly, promising the repairs will only take two weeks, which becomes a running joke as the renovations drag on much longer.
• Walter: “You whore!” – Walter shouts this in a fit of rage when he believes Anna slept with her ex-husband, Max.
• Estelle: “It’s a steal!” – The phrase used by Estelle to convince Walter and Anna that the dilapidated house is a great deal, despite its obvious flaws.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $37,499,651
• Worldwide Gross: $54,999,651

💥 The Money Pit Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie as a kid and just laughing non-stop. The bathtub scene? Iconic! Watching Tom Hanks react to the house falling apart is pure gold. Sure, it’s a bit silly and over-the-top, but it’s a feel-good comedy that always puts a smile on my face. This is one of the movies that made me a Tom Hanks fan for life. The physical comedy is top-notch. And it is a funny representation of what house projects can actually be like.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Tom Hanks and Shelley Long”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slapstick comedy”
  • “Anyone who has experienced home renovation challenges”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted, 80s-style movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some mild language”
  • “Cartoonish violence and slapstick”
  • “Brief suggestive situations”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite the comedic talents of Hanks and Long, the relentless slapstick and paper-thin plot of ‘The Money Pit’ fail to generate consistent laughs.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “The movie stretches its one-joke premise far too thin, relying on repetitive gags and a predictable storyline. While Hanks is energetic, the material doesn’t allow for much depth or originality.
• Variety: “Hanks and Long are a good match, and Benjamin keeps the pace lively. The Money Pit will resonate particularly with audiences who have experienced the joys and terrors of home ownership.

Audience Reactions

The physical comedy, especially involving Tom Hanks, is absolutely hilarious.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s slapstick humor and Tom Hanks’ performance.

The ‘two weeks’ running gag is endlessly quotable and relatable to anyone who’s dealt with contractors.: The relatable humor regarding home repairs and dealing with contractors resonated strongly with audiences.

Overall Consensus: While critics found the plot thin, audiences generally enjoyed the movie for its slapstick humor and Tom Hanks’ comedic performance.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The house used for the exterior shots is located in Lattingtown, New York. After filming, it remained abandoned for many years and fell into further disrepair before being renovated.”
• “Steven Spielberg served as an executive producer for the film through his production company, Amblin Entertainment.”
• “The film is loosely based on the 1948 Cary Grant comedy ‘Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House’.”
• “During filming, Tom Hanks enjoyed driving around in the vintage Lincoln Model L Series classic car featured in the movie.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Money Pit?

The Money Pit is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where you may have the option to rent or buy it. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options as well. For physical copies, look for it on DVD or Blu-ray at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Money Pit, you might like these similar films:

• Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948): A direct comparison, as ‘The Money Pit’ is loosely based on this classic comedy about the trials and tribulations of building a house in the country.
• Mousehunt (1997): Features similar physical comedy and slapstick involving a house falling apart and the characters’ desperate attempts to deal with it.
• The Burbs (1989): Another Tom Hanks comedy from the 80s with a focus on over-the-top suburban mishaps and physical humor.
• This Old House (1979-present): While not a movie, this long-running TV show captures the endless challenges and high costs of home renovation, relatable to the themes of ‘The Money Pit’.
• Are We Done Yet? (2007): A modern equivalent where a family moves to the suburbs and faces comedic disasters while renovating their new home.

🛒 The Money Pit Related Products

• The Money Pit [DVD]: Relive the hilarious chaos of ‘The Money Pit’ with this DVD. Perfect for a nostalgic movie night with family and friends. It’s a great way to introduce a new generation to this 80s comedy classic.
• Building Construction for Dummies: This book is a practical guide to every stage of building construction, from site selection to finish work. Whether you’re dreaming of building a new home, remodeling an existing one, or just curious about how things are built, this book is for you.
• Tom Hanks: A Hollywood Life: Tom Hanks has become more than just a movie star. He has created a relationship with the audience, playing parts people can easily connect with.
• FUNKO Pop! Movies: Shelley Long as Diane Chambers: This is a great addition to any Funko Pop or Shelley Long collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Main Title” – performed by Michel Colombier
• “The Heart Is So Willing” – performed by Stephen Bishop

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

HILARIOUS TOM HANKS BLOOPERS COMPILATION (Forrest Gump, Toy Story, The Green Mile, The Money Pit)

Ever wonder what it’s like to be on set with Tom Hanks? This blooper reel, including some hilarious moments from ‘The Money Pit,’ shows off his fun-loving personality! You won’t be able to stop laughing.

Everything Wrong With Big In 18 Minutes Or Less

Think ‘Big’ is perfect? Think again! CinemaSins hilariously points out all the movie’s flaws. While they didn’t do ‘The Money Pit,’ this gives you an idea of their style and is still worth watching. It’s funny!

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