mark.waltz This is the epitome of a 1980's popcorn film, the type of date film that appealed to both men and women (of all age) in pre-politically correct America. Filled with a ton of Three Stooges style farce, it is as filled with "Uh oh!" moments as the Mich later released "Home Alone" movies. Unhappilly divorced Shelley Long is loving in her ex-husband's house with boyfriend Tom Hanks when the temperamental former husband returns, putting the two of them out on the street. The couple decides to buy the beautiful but cheap mansion from wacky Maureen Stapleton which turns out to be a HUGE mistake. Falling front doors, collapsing curved stairways, faulty electricity and disgusting plumbing are just a few of the problems. Over-charging carpenters and plumbers, temperamental permit inspectors and the horny ex become a few more issues. Hanks finds himself battling the electricity (which results in a flying cooked turkey shooting out of the stove as a Julia Child program airs in the background, collapsing scaffolding and most hysterically, a carpeting with Hanks inside that slowly sinks through the floor are among the comic highlights.An abundance of over-the-top obnoxious characters make this at times difficult to take, but there were so many moments that had me laughing hysterically that I was able to forgive the dis-likable elements of the script. I would have liked to have seen more of the always lovable Stapleton as well as soap favorite Douglas Watson ("Another World"), seen in a prologue as Hank's father (getting married in Rio) which seems to be instantly forgotten. Alexander Houdenov, as Long's ex, is beyond despicable, and each scene he has makes me cringe. So don't expect a "Mr. Blandings", " The Egg and I" or even "Green Acres", but an occasionally pleasing comedy of moments, if not manners.

richspenc Great comedy with Walter (Tom Hanks) and Anna (Shelly Long) buying a big house in the country just to find out all is not what seems. After being kicked out of Anna's ex boyfriend Max's (Alexander Goudonov) apartment because Max has come back from being out of town, Walter and Anna have nowhere to go. I, for one, am surprised that a woman's ex would allow her to stay there with her new boyfriend while he is not there, but Max is also Anna's symphony conductor and she plays the violin in the symphony. Walter is a lawyer who happens to have connections with major celebrities such as a rock band who the band leader says he likes Walter better than his family, a spoiled child star, and a transvestite acting group who wants to use Merryl Streep as the name of their act. With the jobs Walter and Anna have, and the people they know, you would think that they have problems that wouldn't amount to a hill of beans. But Walter still complains when they're kicked out of Max's apartment about how broke they are. But the whole first part of the film is done with humor and wit. And they have an amazingly quick and easy time finding this big, nice looking house and the money to buy it. But it's when they move in when their problems really begin. And that's when the really funny parts of the film happen. The staircase collapses, the kitchen goes all haywire, the front door falls off it's hinges, a bathtub falls through the floor, and the water from their pipes looks like there was a nearby bust in a major sewer line. Not just these events, but Walter and Anne's reactions is what helps make these scenes so funny. Then there's the workmen and they're funny characters too. The carpenter thinks that every time a woman calls a carpenter, she's looking for the "ol hammer and nail". The plumber demands a drink of scotch and a five thousand dollar check, then leaves refusing to even glance at the plumbing. (Look out for the gag at both of them driving away to the same part of the same song) Then the work crew, who looks more like a biker and hot wheels gang, just further tear up their house to shreds and won't repair anything until Walter sees the permit man, who he himself is a rather difficult person. This movie really is one of a kind, a real feel good movie. Then there's the humorous character of Max the symphony conductor, who is so wry and conceded, in a pretty funny way. I've actually only ever seen Alexander Godonov in one other film before, and that's the brief Amish scene in the awful movie " North". And interestingly enough, that brief Amish scene was about the only good scene in that entire horrible film. Anyway, there's even more good scenes in "The money pit" I haven't written here, but you'll have to see the film to see them.

Sean Lamberger Every new homeowner's worst nightmare, as experienced by a pair of almost-average mid '80s DINKs. They sink a fortune into this place, a secluded estate that looks too good to be true and, of course, falls apart around them mere moments after key touches palm. Mid-lifers will find it easy to relate with this couple, played by Tom Hanks and Shelley Long, as they seem familiar and good-natured if a bit naive. Their ability to procure huge sums of money at the drop of a hat is a red flag, though, and the soapy complications of their personal lives actually serve to distance them from the audience. Hanks is a riot, especially when he descends into madness at the height of his misery, but Long may as well have been a wooden set piece. Try as he might, our leading man just can't draw a performance out of her and the duo's serious lack of chemistry is a problem. Funny in a Seinfeldian car crash, looking-through-our-fingers kind of way, the plot skips over the moment where its players' fates shift from disaster to redemption and the payoff, as a result, feels flat.

Avid Climber The Money Pit will make you laugh, even if it's dating a bit. By now, you could consider it a period piece of the 80s. The main idea is very interesting, and the characters mostly interesting.The house is fabulous, and each event is a riot. The first time you view it, it's at its funniest, but you'll like to see it again, just to relive the whole catastrophe.I'd say that the main downside is the construction crew which is exaggerated to a point where it pulls you out of the movie. An other sad point is the final scene, but then it goes with the values of the time.If you're looking for a classic, especially if you like Tom Hanks, this is for you.