Throw Momma From the Train

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Throw Momma From the Train

PG-13

Released Dec 11, 1987

1h 26m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

54%

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25,000+ Ratings

Larry (Billy Crystal), an author with a cruel ex-wife, Margaret (Kate Mulgrew), teaches a writing workshop where Owen (Danny DeVito), one of his students, is fed up with his domineering mother (Anne Ramsey). When Owen watches a Hitchcock classic that seems to mirror his own life, he decides to put the movie's plot into action and offers to kill Margaret, if Larry promises to murder his mom. Before Larry gets a chance to react to the plan, it seems that Owen has already sealed Margaret's fate.

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Critics Consensus

Danny DeVito's direction is too broad to offer the kind of nastiness that would have made Throw Momma from the Train truly special, but DeVito's on-screen chemistry with co-star Billy Crystal makes this a smoothly entertaining comedy.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Very clever and engaging from beginning to end, pic builds on the notion that nearly everyone - at least once in life - has the desire to snuff out a relative or nemesis, even if 99.9% of us let the urge pass without ever acting on it.

Mar 26, 2009

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

If it all gets a little soft-centred towards the end, there's more than enough vitality and invention to be going on with.

Jun 24, 2006

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

Mr. Crystal and Mr. DeVito ... make one of the oddest pairs imaginable but have a rapport that's a delight.

May 20, 2003

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Demonstrates more talent laughing at Hitchcock than Mel Brooks in High Society… [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 14, 2022

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Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

Throw Momma from the Train is a comic triumph for all involved.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 15, 2019

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Cathy Burke

United Press International

Danny DeVito directs and stars in this funny, offbeat homage to Alfred Hitchcock thrillers, but it's co-star Billy Crystal who brings all the elements together

Nov 8, 2016

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mark g

Surprised by the lukewarm to negative feedback on this film. Thought it was fresh and well directed. Plenty of laugh out loud scenes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

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Dinos K

Well, movie is funny. Not perfect but it make me laught and de vito is great comedian

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

Vander A

A rollicking good time of a movie. Just silly enough to be adorable. Watch it when you can't handle anything heavy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

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nick s

The movie had a great cast and could have delivered a lot more. It just seemed to fall short, with few memorable moments.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

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Teddy B

While DEFINITELY not perfect, Danny Devito's 'Throw Momma from the Train' manages to still capture what is most prominently unique about his features: the villainy in humanity and the prospect of looming death or ruination. Also, any cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld is a welcoming aspect. This film will not please everybody, but those who see it and embrace it will find it to be a good enough time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/27/23

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Patrick S

I only made it about a third of the way through. It's grating and terribly unfunny. Awful.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/23

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Danny DeVito

Director

Danny DeVito

Owen

Billy Crystal

Larry Donner

Anne Ramsey

Mrs. Lift

Kim Greist

Beth Ryan

Kate Mulgrew

Margaret Donner

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Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - You're Alive!

2:37

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Larry Meets Momma

1:36

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Poisoned Pepsi

2:09

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - You Killed My Wife!

2:44

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - He's Trying to Kill Me!

1:37

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Owen's Coin Collection

3:00

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - She's Not a Woman, She's the Terminator

2:07

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Saving Momma

2:14

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Larry Warns Momma

1:22

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Larry's Wife on Oprah

2:20

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Synopsis

Larry (Billy Crystal), an author with a cruel ex-wife, Margaret (Kate Mulgrew), teaches a writing workshop where Owen (Danny DeVito), one of his students, is fed up with his domineering mother (Anne Ramsey). When Owen watches a Hitchcock classic that seems to mirror his own life, he decides to put the movie's plot into action and offers to kill Margaret, if Larry promises to murder his mom. Before Larry gets a chance to react to the plan, it seems that Owen has already sealed Margaret's fate.

Director: Danny DeVito
Producer: Larry Brezner
Screenwriter: Stu Silver
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Orion Pictures
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 11, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $54.4M
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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