Shades of 'Psycho'.


I was just thinking about this movie and it occurred to me how the movie wasn't merely just inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" but his iconic "Psycho" as well. The relationship between Owen and Momma is not so dissimilar to Norman Bates and his mother Norma. Lets face it both Owen and Norman had domineering mothers and were loners. Not to mention there was the theme of matricide with Norman however being successful unlike Owen. Makes me think it's quite likely that Stu Silver who wrote the screenplay deliberately kind of paid homage to that film as well.

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I've taken numerous film study classes, and Throw Momma from the Train has been shown in every one of them. While it may seem like a weird choice at first, the film itself parallels a lot of Hitchcock and film-noir classics, particularly with its use of motifs, while also subtly focusing on difficulties that writers (aspiring and professional) are all too familiar with. It is a good movie with a lot classic influence. Good catch on the Psycho thing; I didn't notice that one.

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Wasn't there a scene Owen sitting inside of a movie theater cramming popcorn or something in his mouth, in a similar fashion to Norman cramming candy-corn into his mouth?



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And Shadow of a Doubt at the end, the train scene.

Mogwai come much responsibility.

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You pointed out a very interesting parallel between Owen and Norman. Also, the dark, musty, and sinister-looking old Victorian gothic houses of each. Both Owen and Norman lived in these huge homes with their mothers but were still odd and lonely characters. Love the darkness of this comedy...I never tire of it and it always makes me laugh. Especially the line where Larry dismisses class because of the "headache in his eye." Love Momma and when she is demanding Owen to make her some "white toast with grape jelly GD it!" Momma was pretty hilarious though she was super mean and abusive to poor Owen.

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