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"ho This is just great

A very enjoyable comedy, with subtle bits that keep your attention.

ABRASIVE AND UNAPPEALING COMEDY AND A HUGE DISSAPPOINTMENT THAT A RE-TEAMING OF DANNY DE VITO AND BETTE MIDLER IS SUCH AN UNFUNNY MESS. LAUGHS ARE WAY TOO FAR APART. YUK.

Drowning Mona features a strong ensemble cast with enjoyable characters, clever dialogue, entertaining twists and turns, and a plot that completely fizzles out. Bette Midler plays the titular bitch, Mona Dearly, who drives her Yugo off a cliff in the opening scene. Local police chief Wyatt Rash (Danny DeVito) immediately suspects foul play and launches an investigation. His prime suspects are Mona's witless son Jeff (Marcus Thomas); Jeff's uncultivated but gentle landscaping partner Bobby Calzone (an angelic blond Casey Affleck); and Mona's seemingly simple husband Phil (William Fichtner). Ellen Rash (Neve Campbell) is Chief Rash's daughter and Bobby Calzone's fiance. Jamie Lee Curtis plays Rona, a feisty waitress and Phil Dearly's woman on the side. Will Ferrell rounds out the cast as Cubby the funeral director.

Drowning Mona is packed with hilarious scenes. Affleck, Thomas and especially Fichtner display a flair for the bizarre without going completely over the top. Unlike Will Ferrell, they know where to draw the line between eccentric behavior and clowning. DeVito and Campbell make a genuine father-daughter team and I enjoyed their interactions. But even the strongest performances can't overcome a lousy ending. It's clear that no one in the town of Verplanck, New York is grieving for Mona, and many characters had their motive to killer her. And yet, when a minor character of dubious integrity identifies the killer, he completely takes the wind out of the story. It's as though the writers thought, well we have to end it now, so let's just come up with something remotely plausible, and wash our hands of it.

(**):

This movie was great. If you had a like mother in law like Mona, and lived for a few years in "Upstate New York" you might either say that my life must suck, or I get Drowning Mona. I can't believe how low the ratings are for this hilarious movie (filmed in California). But if folks think for a second that white trash as I read somewhere in one of the critics reviews don't exist, then please visit upstate New York.

Starring: Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Neve Campbell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Casey Affleck, William Fichtner, and Will Ferrell.
Directed by Nick Gomez.
Written by Peter Steinfeld.
Rated PG-13 (for some thematic elements, language and brief sexuality).
Running time approximately 1 hour 35 minutes.

Yeah, so I have this problem where I love Bette Midler, and a similar one involving Jamie Lee Curtis (as mentioned in the previous review). Therefore, as disappointing as Drowning Mona is, I can't not recommend it because Midler and Curtis deliver such wonderful comedic turns. I'm forever drawn to it when bored or sick of watching good movies. The story's lame, the characters all types, not real people, and nothing really funny happens, but I kinda like it. Kinda. Actually maybe I don't... **1/2 (out of ****) C+

Mona was a miserable woman who made everyone's life a living hell. When her car unexpectantly swerves off a cliff and into a lake, no one feels bad about Mona's demise. The local sheriff feels that Mona's death is too convenient; however, no one in town is sad that she is gone. Before long, everyone is a suspect...but no one feels guilty.

"I get half."
"I know."
"...and none of that 50% bullshit..."

Nick Gomez, director of New Jersey Drive and Final Jeopardy, delivers Drowning Mona. The storyline of this film and the depiction of Mona were both spectacular. Each scene was appropriately delivered and set-up perfectly. The cast was outstanding and included Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Neve Campbell, Casey Affleck, Will Ferrell, and William Fichtner.

"He said ovaries?"
"Oh yeah. All the time."

Drowning Mona is a surprisingly solid comedy. This was a very fresh and random picture. Numerous scenes in this film are unexpected. I really appreciated Gomez's vision for this film. Drowning Mona reminded me a little of Oscar (Stallone). I strongly recommend this picture to fans of this style of comedy. The acting is first rate and the content is unique and fresh.

"Don't kill anyone, honey."

Grade: B

I enjoyed this movie. It is really corny but, it's fun entertainment!!!

I'm not sure what other RT critics are talking about. This movie was all-out awesome. A stellar, star studded cast playing a collection of characters you are not likely to find anywhere else in the universe.

The sheer stupidity of most of these characters draws a lot of laughs. Not to mention the fact that everyone in the town drives a Yugo.

Drowning Mona is a story about the death of Mona Dearly (played by Bette Midler) and the small town investigation behind her death. Was it an accident because she was driving a Yugo? Or is there something more sinister at play? Danny DeVito heads up a team of half-witted deputies to question a possibly in-bred town of morons.

The problem? Well, everyone had a reason to kill Mona Dearly. As a grumpy, miserable woman she went out of her way to make sure everyone else had a bad day.

Maybe it's just me, but I know I'm a fan of Dark Comedies and this one will definitely be added to the library - as soon as I can find it on DVD.