Customer Reviews

Six Ways to Sunday

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

The main privilege of the low-budget filmmaking is not having to carry the crashing load of responsibility to everyone for everything. And a director can go several ways from here. He/she can indulge him(her)self in the weird self-expression, giving his/her "insights" the value they do not actually have. Or - just like Mr. Bernstein did - make something uncaringly original, captivating from the first frame to the last. Yes, he uses the ex-pop icon and the male model and their relations are recognizably Psycho, he puts Jewinsh mobsters in his film, he is pop-violent and anashamedly sentimental, he can be accused of borrowing and quoting heavily from different sources.

But somehow I feel he is innocent of all the charges that can be made against him. Adam Bernstein helms his film with a steady and assured hand. In our postmodern time he just ignores the dominating trend to disassemble any work of art to see where it's components came from, where they were originally concieved for the first time - if there is such a thing as the first time.

If he feels the sitation calls for such and such words and actions - he puts them in disregarding any similarities. There is a lot of violence but it's evidently not gratuitous - and that's refreshing.

What I see in this film is an effort of a very mature director to make the movies the way he likes and can. His place on the map is not huge and overflowing but it's very definite.

I have never been more shocked and delighted by one movie. "Six ways" is simply a perfect movie, the acting is great, the plot, the action, and the way the movie just flows. Debbie Harry and Norman Reedus make a perfect mother/son duo and their dialogue is scary yet entertaining. The movie borrows aspects from such classics as "Psycho" and "Goodfellas" but is original enough to be a classic on its own. This movie has everything that you could possibly want from a movie: violence, freaky sex, and great performances. If you haven't seen it you don't know what you're in for when you do!

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.

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.

This film is a must for any Blondie fan, and for anyone who likes a great movie, with some stunning performances. Gansters, murder, incest.. just a simple tale of every day life.

superstar Deborah Harry of Blondie shows of her acting talent (again) as a manipulative mom....very odd movie, very well made = ENTERTAINING!!!!!

I found the movie to be very intriguing. Many strange twists and turns. I definitely recomend this movie to an open minded viewer. Not for the English I guess.

i hadn't seen this movie before when i decided to buy it, but adrien brody was in it and i've enjoyed all the movies i've seen with him. i have to say his acting in this was so convincing i had to laugh because his character reminded me of someone i knew. i couldn't even reconize adrien's personality while he played this strange character. the reason i only gave it three stars was because it was unneccessarily vivid in its violence and the plot didn't need to be that disguisting, especially the end. it seemed like the writer and director were trying too hard to get a rise out of people. i give adrien's performance five stars, but the movie just leaves you upset with the disturbing ending.