Crazy Mama is a 1975 crime-comedy film directed by Jonathan Demme and starring the legendary Cloris Leachman. The movie tells the story of a widow named Melba who lives in Arkansas with her mother and teenage daughter. Melba's dream is to move to California and start a new life with her family. However, she faces several financial difficulties that make it impossible for her to fulfill her dream. One day, she decides to rob a bank to get the money she needs to make her dream come true. Melba's mother and daughter join her in the robbery, and together they embark on a wild and crazy road trip to California.
The film begins with Melba losing her job at a gas station due to the owner's financial problems. Melba then decides that she has had enough of Arkansas and that it's time for her and her family to move to California, where she hopes they will find a better life. However, she needs money to make her dream come true, which is when she comes up with the idea of robbing a bank.
Melba's mother, who's had enough of her boring life in Arkansas, is more than happy to join her daughter in the robbery. They also convince Melba's daughter to come along, even though she is more interested in finding a boyfriend than robbing a bank. The three set off on a hilarious and dangerous adventure that takes them through several states on their way to California.
Along the way, they meet several other characters, including a hippie hitchhiker named Shawn, a truck driver named Patsy, and a jailbird named Jim Bob. They also encounter several obstacles, including a maniacal cop named Varney, who is determined to catch them and bring them to justice.
The movie's strength lies in its characters, who are all incredibly well-drawn and memorable. Cloris Leachman gives a fantastic performance as Melba, a tough and determined woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her dream. Melba's mother, played by Ann Sothern, is a feisty and funny character who steals every scene she's in. Melba's daughter, played by a young Linda Purl, brings a youthful and relatable energy to the film.
The movie also features some great supporting performances, particularly from Stuart Whitman, who plays Varney, the cop chasing Melba and her family. Whitman's performance is both hilarious and menacing, and he provides a great foil for the main characters.
Crazy Mama is a fun and entertaining ride that never takes itself too seriously. The film's mix of comedy and crime elements work well together, and the characters are all incredibly likable and fun to watch. The movie also features a great soundtrack of 1950s and 60s classics, which adds to the film's nostalgic and fun vibe.
Overall, Crazy Mama is a great example of a 1970s crime-comedy that is both entertaining and memorable. The film is a must-see for fans of Cloris Leachman and anyone who loves a good road trip movie.
Crazy Mama is a 1975 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes.
