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The Burbs

5.8

7,930

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There Goes the Neighborhood: The Making of 'The 'Burbs'

Original title

The Burbs

Year

1989

Running time

102 min.

Country

United States

Director

Joe Dante

Screenwriter

Dana Olsen

Cast

Music

Jerry Goldsmith

Cinematography

Robert M. Stevens

Producer

Imagine Entertainment, Paramount Pictures

Genre

Comedy | Horror Comedy

Synopsis

Set in an average neighborhood that is anything but average, Tom Hanks portrays suburbanite Ray Peterson, who finally takes a much-needed week of vacation. However, Ray doesn't use the time to jet off to some exotic locale, there are no frolicsome adventures in his plans, all he wants is a week of mindless relaxation in his own comfortable suburban home. His wife Carol (Carrie Fisher) warns him that he's liable to go crazy from the boredom, but he refuses to listen. The nothingness finally does get to him, however, and he creates a little excitement for himself by spying on his neighbors - the Klopeks, a mysterious, oddball family that just moved in to a dilapidated home down the street. When the neighborhood grouch mysteriously disappears, Ray and a motley crew of other neighborhood crackpots begin to concoct wild theories about the strange, and perhaps murderous, goings on in the Klopek's creepy, old house. For one brief, shining moment their lives seem to have some meaning and purpose as Ray and his friends become consumed with the secrets of the bizarre family. Tom Hanks is hysterical as Ray, bring his own brand of boyish charm and zany slapstick comedy to the screen.

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Rankings Position

#83 Best Horror Comedy Films

Critics' reviews

"[It] is as empty as something can be without creating a vacuum (...) The film does nothing for the reputation of anyone connected with it, including Mr. Hanks"

Vincent Canby: The New York Times
"Though 'The burbs' is hardly an actor's film, Hanks continues to demonstrate the ease and maturity that has been his since 'Big'"

Dave Kehr: Chicago Tribune
"It's hard to put your finger on exactly what's missing (...) The actors do what they can with the material and the special effects are ambitious, but somehow the film fails to rouse itself into any real conviction (…) Rating: ★★ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: rogerebert.com
"A delightfully complicated portrait of suburban voyeurism"

TV Guide
"The ''Burbs' begins promisingly, as if Joe Dante is going to yank a Steven Spielberg film into 'Blue Velvet' depths. Once the premise is laid down, however, the film deflates and empties with alarming speed"

Jay Carr: Boston Globe
"'Burbs is a messy mix of Gremlins, Neighbors, Rear Window and Arsenic and Old Lace."

Mike Clark: USA Today
"Director Joe Dante funnels his decidedly cracked view of suburban life through dark humour"

Variety Staff: Variety
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The Burbs

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