Review of The Addams Family (1991) by Jani H — 07 Jun 2010

"We gladly feast on those who would subdue us.".

Charles Addams, an American cartoonist, created The Addams Family in the late 30's. It is one of the oldest comic strips published and a classic television series and two major motion pictures have been made to honor the comic. 'The Addams Family' was made in 1991 and it remains as one of my childhood favourites.

There are several differences between the television series and the films. I'm not going to go in to details but I can surely say that it didn't bother me at all. Most of my generation don't know that much about the Addams', anyways, I presume.

Gomez Addams, the head of the family, is longing for his long lost brother, Fester. he has not seen him for 25 years and what bothers him very much is that they did not part in a good way. All of a sudden, a man who resembles Fester very much comes to their door. Gomez is at first more than happy but it turns out that Fester may not be Fester after all...

The family is full of eccentric and gruesome persons. They all seem to have some sort of supernatural powers and a tendency to practice the occult. This is what I like about 'em. The humor is very dark and may not be suitable for small kids. I was 13 years old at the time I saw 'The Addams Family' for the first time. I purchased the VHS and pretty much ruined it because of repetitive viewings. At a local video store there was a pinball machine with the Addams'. I mastered it, spent all my weekly allowance and gained the first position. I loved the film that much!

The visual image of 'The Addams Family' is dark and detailed. Everything is very gothic but so it should be. The production values of the film is top-notch and one of the strongest factors in the movie, alongside the lead performers as well.

Raul Julia, the Puerto Rico born actor, is perfect in his role. He really gets Gomez Addams to become a strong person on screen. Anjelica Huston as Morticia Addams gives an equally strong performance and the chemistry between the two is pure lightning.

Christina Ricci, in one of her first feature film roles, plays the part of their daughter Wednesday. She is so goddamn cute in her role as the expressionless gothic princess. I remember her always because of this part and not her later works.

'The Addams Family' was a success at the Box Offices. A sequel came out two years later but it did not gain the same success as its predecessor. Raul Julia's death also ruled out a third probable film. But in overall, 'The Addams Family' holds a special place in my heart because of several good memories that I have of the family Addams. 20 years later I still recommend this well aged film to you all.

"To live without you, only that would be torture.

- A day alone, only that would be death.".