Six Ways to Sunday (1999)

Twisted, yet beautiful

I admit, I only originally watched this movie for the actors in it, but as I was watching it, I felt myself intrigued by the strange, yet sick, bond between a mother and her son. The movie itself can, at times, lack slightly in story line, but the overall effect it has will leave any person thinking. Debbie Harry and Norman Reedus both have memorable, and at times haunting, performances that make the movie what it is. I would say this is a must see movie. November 17, 2006

Hello Elizabeth!

I agree with Elizabeth's review...any movie she likes, I'm sure that I'd like too. I've always loved the movies we've seen together. How long has it been now? Much too long... now that it's July of 2006, we should go see another one together soon...ktndto July 25, 2006

Twisted Oedipus Complex

I never saw the movie before I bought it, all I knew that Norman Reedus was in it and that I loved him in Boondock Saints and Blade II.

The people are wonderfully cast ~ not only Norman Reedus, but Deborah Harry as Harry's mother is a quirky Jewish mother and Adrien Brody is a wanna-be gangster to the point of ridiculousness. I loved Elina Lowensohn in the part as Iris.

It's a decidedly twisted combination of Jewish mob, Ohio, and a mama's boy...Very strange, but in this case it works ~ in an unusual way. February 15, 2005

A thriller that's smart, funny...and charming!

Charming may be an odd word to use to describe a thriller, but it fits in this case. This is a completely unique entry in the thriller category, effortlessly fusing the Jewish mob, Youngstown Ohio, and a mama's boy. Yes, a decidedly odd combination, but it works exceptionally well, thanks to intelligent writing and fine acting.

Harry Odum lives with his mother who dotes on him beyond the point of normalcy. Hence, Harry is seriously conflicted about the opposite sex and, as well, easily provoked into bouts of raging violence. This last quality proves to be an asset as a Jewish mob underling, Abie Pinkwise, hears of Harry's gifts which have been applied, quite diligently, to a strip club owner.

Harry's quickly recruited as muscle for Louis Varga who, in spite of his last name, is Jewish to the point of reveling in a typical meal--gefilte fish ("Jewish hamburger" he calls it), horseradish, matzoh, and the works--which he invites Harry, a goy (non-Jew), to participate in along with Louis' crew, all members of the tribe. Harry's good at his job--waxing (perhaps the Youngstown Ohio Jewish mob version of "whacking")--and so is soon rolling in dough, enough to buy a new house for him and his Mom.

As Mrs. Odum, Debbie Harry is spot on. She's an excellent actress given the right parts, and this is definitely one of the best parts she's done in a film. The Oedipal attachment she forces on Harry is so strong that near the end of the film, the inevitable happens (you can guess what that is), resulting in tragedy that nevertheless produces a malicious grin. This strong black comedy component of the film, then, is like fusing Bruce Jay Friedman's "A Mother's Kisses" or Dan Greenburg's "How to Be a Jewish Mother" with the Godfather. Except Harry himself is not Jewish, even though his mother is a Jewish mother to the max.

Harry meets Iris, a Hungarian emigre girl who eventually captures his confused heart. Elina Lowinsohn is perfect in this role, as is Isaac Hayes as a corrupt cop (a lotta self-respecting crime films have one of these, right?), Adrien Brody as a wanna-be gangster who emulates urban culture to the point of near-ridiculousness, and Norman Reedus as our hero Harry. The nicely juxtaposed opposites of deep down innocence (in Harry) and vicious brutality work well when combined with Iris' radiant simplicity, generating the charming element of the film.

A constantly broken chair and Mrs. Odum's other homey quirks supplies much of the humor here, but there is some grim stuff too. This is a quirky film that never really got its due and should be seen by many more people.

Recommended. January 18, 2004

A Twisted and Innovative Inversion of the word "love"

Norman Reedus has to be perhaps one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood. From starring roles in the Boondock Saints and minor roles in films like 8mm, he came into his own with this film. Adrien Brody as a wannabe gangster, obviously before playing Vladyslaw and Isaac Hayes in a great cameo...you are shown a twisted tale of mother/son bonding and a blossoming relationship between two young adults with a commonality in their desire for one another. Plenty of violence to consume that crowd...a dark comedy at its finest. November 2, 2003

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