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Raising Arizona
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28

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  1. CassianJ
    Jan 6, 2008
    9
    Wow this film just gets better with age. This is a classic movie which proves that script and character will always give you more than any amount of dollars thrown at a movie. This is classic Coen brothers’ territory here. Great characters populating a simple yet effective story with a script to die for. The simple premise of the story is the couple of perennial petty criminal HI and police officer Ed who can not have a child so decide to steal one of the children of the wife of a local successful business man who has just had quintuplets. But that is only half the story we get introduced a multitude of magnificent quirky supporting chahrcters along the way who each bring something special to the movie including an early supporting role from the always superb Francis McDormand.) For me this along with ‘Wild at Heart’ is Nicolas Cage’s two finest performances. He brings great aloofness and swagger to the character of HI (another great Coen brother’s character name) and the Coens reciprocate Cage’s performance by letting the camera love him. Cage is supported greatly by Holly Hunter with other great performances such as another Coen brother’s favourite John Goodman. The film is superbly on what was clearly a small budget but that probably only enhances the overall quality of the move and if anything has aided the ageing process. This is a must for movie fans and a must own for Coen brothers fans.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. RussellW.
    Oct 10, 2003
    10
    Perfectly silly, inane, thoughtful, imaginative, and brilliantly made film completely bereft of cliches. The finest work ever done by the Coen brothers.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. PatC.
    Jan 5, 2004
    7
    Authentic in its quirkiness as only the Coen Brothers can do. To elitists it's comedy - to trailer park trash it's high drama. Drags everyone and everything down to its level. The time spent in the justice system is more interesting that the domestic situations, and the biker takes the taco, but in the end it just trails off. This movie is about chaos. Why impose order at the end? Let sleeping dogs lie.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. JustinT
    Nov 10, 2007
    10
    A strange funny film. Without a doubt my favorite non "Goof-Ball" comedy out there.
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  5. JonH.
    Feb 17, 2005
    10
    One of My Favorite Comedies of all time. I loved it, wonderfully cartoonish.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. AaronS.
    Jul 19, 2006
    10
    One of the five funniest movies of all time. That loud sound is the movie's brilliance zooming over the long-forgotten L.A. Times critic's head. But apparently she wasn't alone. Inexplicable.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. JohnG.
    Jul 24, 2006
    9
    Close to a classic film. Critics tend to overthink the plot, the humor, and story to their own disenchantment. It's Arizona circa 1984 with a twist of Easy Rider, an atmosphere of lingering Goldwater & earthy individualism all marinated in original comedic advances. Enjoy it!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. AnneB.
    Nov 10, 2007
    10
    Brilliant, even after about 100 viewings. Since seeing this all-time family favorite, I never miss a Coen brothers movie.
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  9. JaredC
    Feb 5, 2008
    6
    It's a sweat film to start their directing career, the Coens did a profound job with Cages superb performance. Everything fine, just the visual never quite came to me and I was practically waited for something to happen but nothing did.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. YoonC.
    Sep 21, 2003
    6
    Exhiliarting if you want to see a 95 min Road Runner cartoon with live characters. It's far too cluttered with gimmicks, infantile humor, tiresome delirium, cutesiness, and quirky characters to sustain interest beyond 15 minutes. Holly Hunter is lovable though.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. JayG.
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    It taps into a part of american redneck culture; and hence comedy- trailers, lawn chairs, country accents, shot guns, and still there is something very human and endearing in the characters and story. A very colorful, hilarious movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. CritiqueGirl
    Mar 4, 2011
    7
    Funny and I did laugh out loud once but overall it wasn't that great a movie. I only watched it once many years ago and I would probably watch it if friends wanted to.
  13. rotku
    Apr 1, 2012
    6
    Bizarre, surreal and zany with all the hallmarks of a Cohen brothers movie. Not as polished as some later efforts but that adds to the movie. With great performances from both Cage & Hunter.
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    60
    Cage creates a homey and thoroughly likable character who earns the respect of the audience, but Hunter is the real surprise. Appearing in her first starring role, the stage veteran displays so much energy that she forces the audience to pay attention.
    Read full review
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Stack
    25
    The big trouble with Raising Arizona is that the Coens overdrew their wild and crazy yarn, and overdo almost every gag and gimmick. [20 Mar 1987]
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Vincent Canby
    50
    Like "Blood Simple," it's full of technical expertise but has no life of its own... The direction is without decisive style. [11 Mar 1987, p.C24]
See all critic reviews »