Billy Crystal: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked
4. Larry - Throw Momma From The Train
This mean-spirited black comedy is the Hitchcock inspired tale of two men played by Danny DeVito and Crystal who agree to commit murder for each other. After his evil ex-wife is bumped off, Crystal agrees to kill DeVitos horrible old mother; something thats much easier said than done.
For a film with such a dark premise Throw Momma From The Train is surprisingly sweet, thanks to the growing friendship between the two would-be killers. Crystal was only just becoming a big deal when he made the film, and it helped cement his status as a star. He acts as the straight man to DeVitos oddball, but becomes increasingly stressed out as the story progresses. When he eventually lets loose, it feels like a massive release for him and the audience.
The movie works because the leads including Anne Ramsey, the actress playing Momma - have great chemistry together, and its impossible not to feel sorry for the two idiots even knowing their planned crime.