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Ed and His Dead Mother
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Wikipedia article
'Ed and His Dead Mother' is a 1993 American dark comedy film starring Steve Buscemi, Miriam Margolyes, and Ned Beatty.
Plot
Ed Chilton inherits his family's hardware store following the death of his beloved mother, Mabel. He lives with his maternal uncle, Benny, who appears to be happy that his annoying sister is out of his life. One morning, Ed is approached at work by salesman A. J. Peddle, who offers to resurrect Ed's mother for $1000. Ed is skeptical, but Peddle insists that it must be done immediately, as she has been dead for too long to risk further delays. Ed accepts, which disturbs Uncle Benny, who believes the act to be unethical. Over time, Mabel's behavior becomes increasingly bizarre and unacceptable. When she begins scaring the neighbors and chasing dogs with a knife, Ed is forced to admit that something is wrong. He seeks help from Peddle, but the salesman wants more money. Eventually, Ed accepts that he must move on and let his mother die. Out of self-defense, he decapitates Mabel and later says goodbye to her, but the head comes back to life and bites him on the lip when he gives her a final kiss. Disgusted, he throws the head into the grave, finally free of his overbearing mother.
Cast
* Steve Buscemi as Ed Chilton
* Ned Beatty as Uncle Benny
* John Glover as A. J. Pattle
* Miriam Margolyes as Mabel Chilton
* Sam Jenkins as Storm Reynolds
* Gary Farmer as Big Lar
* Jon Gries as Rob Sundheimer
Release
ITC Entertainment released 'Ed and His Dead Mother' to a single theater in Los Angeles. It made $673. Fox Entertainment Group released it on home video in January 1994, and Pathfinder Home Entertainment released it on DVD in June 2003.
Reception
Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports that 50% of six surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating is 5.4/10. Kevin Thomas of the 'Los Angeles Times' wrote that "flat, uninspired direction" ruins the film despite the cast and script. Adam Tyner of DVD Talk rated it 2/5 stars and called it a "limp and lifeless" film that does not stack up to 'Dead Alive'. Patrick Naugle of DVD Verdict called it a cult film that plays like a watered-down, PG-rated version of 'Dead Alive'.
Conversely, Stina Chyn of 'Film Threat' rated it 4/5 stars and called it "an eccentric gem". Author Glenn Kay wrote that the film initially frustrated horror film fans due to its lack of gore, but it offers "plenty of chuckles" to open-minded viewers.
References
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