Ed and His Dead Mother
Ed and His Dead Mother | |
---|---|
Directed by | Jonathan Wacks |
Written by | Chuck Hughes |
Produced by | William Christopher Gorog |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Francis Kenny |
Music by | Mason Daring |
Production company | |
Distributed by | ITC Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 93 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1.8 million[1] |
Box office | $673[1] |
Ed and His Dead Motheris a 1993 Americandark comedy[2]film starringSteve Buscemi,Miriam Margolyes,andNed Beatty.
Plot
[edit]Ed Chilton inherits his family's hardware store following the death of his beloved mother, Mabel. He lives with his maternal uncle, Benny, who appears to be happy that his annoying sister is out of his life. One morning, Ed is approached at work bysalesmanA. J. Pattle, who offers toresurrectEd's mother for $1000. Ed is initially skeptical, but Pattle notes the fee need not be paid up front.
Ed accepts the offer, which disturbs Uncle Benny. Benny believes the act to be unethical. Over time, Mabel's behavior becomes increasingly bizarre and unacceptable. When she begins scaring the neighbors and chasing dogs with a knife, Ed is forced to admit that something is wrong.
Ed seeks help from Pattle, but the salesman wants more money. Eventually, Ed accepts that he must move on and let his mother die. Out ofself-defense,he decapitates Mabel and later says goodbye to her, but the still living head bites him on the lip when he gives her a final kiss. Disgusted, he throws the head into the grave, finally free of his overbearing mother.
Cast
[edit]- Steve Buscemias Ed Chilton
- Ned Beattyas Uncle Benny
- John Gloveras A. J. Pattle
- Miriam Margolyesas Mabel Chilton
- Sam Jenkinsas Storm Reynolds
- Gary Farmeras Big Lar
- Jon Griesas Rob Sundheimer
- Robert Harvey as Mr. Anderson
- Rance Howardas Reverend Praxton
- Biff Yeageras Cop
Release
[edit]ITC EntertainmentreleasedEd and His Dead Motherto a single theater in Los Angeles. It made $673.[3]Fox Entertainment Groupreleased it on home video in January 1994,[4]and Pathfinder Home Entertainment released it on DVD in June 2003.[5]
Reception
[edit]Rotten Tomatoes,areview aggregator,reports that 50% of six surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating is 5.4/10.[6]Kevin Thomas of theLos Angeles Timeswrote that "flat, uninspired direction" ruins the film despite the cast and script.[2]Adam Tyner ofDVD Talkrated it 2/5 stars and called it a "limp and lifeless" film that does not stack up toDead Alive.[5]Patrick Naugle ofDVD Verdictcalled it acult filmthat plays like a watered-down, PG-rated version ofDead Alive.[7]
Conversely, Stina Chyn ofFilm Threatrated it 4/5 stars and called it "an eccentric gem".[8]Author Glenn Kay wrote that the film initially frustrated horror film fans due to its lack of gore, but it offers "plenty of chuckles" to open-minded viewers.[9]
References
[edit]- ^abc"Ed and His Dead Mother".The Numbers.Retrieved2014-02-16.
- ^abThomas, Kevin (1993-11-17)."Script and Cast Can't Save 'Mother'".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2014-02-17.
- ^Klady, Leonard (1993-11-22)."'Values' boffo at B.O. "Variety.Retrieved2014-02-17.
- ^"New Videotape Releases".Toledo Blade.Knight Ridder News Service.1994-01-25. p. P3.Retrieved2014-02-17.
- ^abTyner, Adam (2003-06-29)."Ed and His Dead Mother".DVD Talk.Retrieved2014-02-17.
- ^"Ed and His Dead Mother (1993)".Rotten Tomatoes.Retrieved2014-02-17.
- ^Naugle, Patrick (2004-02-28)."Ed And His Dead Mother".DVD Verdict.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-02-22.Retrieved2014-02-17.
- ^Chyn, Stina (1993-10-15)."Ed and His Dead Mother".Film Threat.Retrieved2014-02-17.
- ^Kay, Glenn (2008).Zombie Movies: The Ultimate Guide.Chicago Review Press.pp. 209–210.ISBN9781569766835.
External links
[edit]- 1993 films
- 1993 black comedy films
- 1993 comedy horror films
- American black comedy films
- American independent films
- American comedy horror films
- American zombie comedy films
- ITC Entertainment films
- Films set in Iowa
- Films scored by Mason Daring
- 1990s English-language films
- 1990s American films
- Films about inheritances
- Resurrection in film
- Films about mother–son relationships
- Films about salespeople
- English-language comedy horror films