User Reviews

In the only feature film of his career that could be classified as a comedy River Phoenix called I Love You To Death a 'whacked out comedy'. Who am I to disagree.

Kevin Kline and Tracey Ullman are the stars of I Love You To Death and he's the exponential alpha male owner of a pizzeria in Tacoma, Washington where for the female customers he makes personal deliveries. With a cheesy Italian accent, probably deliberately so, Kline charms all the women who buy pizza to give their all to him. Mind you he still loves his wife. But there isn't a pair of breasts between 18 and 45 he can't pass up.

In I Love You To Death Ullman has decided she's up to HERE with Kline's serial infidelities. She and her mother Joan Plowright decides he has to die. They enlist the aid of pizzeria employee River Phoenix who plays a new age kid type, not terribly far from the real life River Phoenix although he didn't think so.

I believe that director Lawrence Kasdan must have read an account of the murder of Rasputin because in real life it took all kinds of things to put him down. They were more successful than this team of assassins were with Kline.

Adding to the hilarity when Phoenix enlists them to help are brain dead druggies William Hurt and Keanu Reeves. The three of them trying to get the job done on Kline is very funny. Reeves and Phoenix met on this film and the next project for both would be My Own Private Idaho the best film both of them ever did.

Dame Joan Plowright a.k.a Lady Olivier is also very funny with another cheesy accent. She's from Yugoslavia and no matter which ethnicity the former polyglot republic had, they're all vengeful people.

In the end though all is forgiven. You have to see the film to know what I'm talking about.

This was a mildly amusing comedy, but with all the talent in this film, it should have been better. The trouble was that every humorous premise was relentlessly hammered home again and again. Finally, there is an unlikely sentimental happy ending which is just too silly to even be comedy.

Many situations are clichés which have been done very often before and done better. There are stoned out freaks who confuse everything, a guy who is hard to kill, a second tier Don Juan with the same moth eaten lime for every woman he meets, etc. these all go back decades before this film was made. This would be no problem except that each gag seems overplayed and goes on forever.

The best performance was Joan Plowwright. Her fuming intense anger was funny, much more so that Tracy Ullman's irritating hysteria.

Remarkably, the film is based on a real event. But it takes off from that base and becomes a screwball comedy in the classic style.

Wonderfully droll performances are given by everyone in this Hitchcock-like farce about a murder that doesn't quite work and a man who just won't die. Joan Plowright steals every scene she is in -- which isn't easy in a film that is full of so many zany plot twists and hilarious lines of dialogue.

This film is a little gem of a comedy. See it if you can.

Pizzaria owner Joey Boca (Kevin Kline) is a hopeless womanizer. Rosalie (Tracey Ullman) is his loyal and loving wife until she sees him cheating. She can't divorce him because they're Catholic. Her mother (Joan Plowright) tries and fails to kill him. He is almost unkillable. They get Devo Nod (River Phoenix) to shoot him and he's still alive. Devo hires bumbling cousins Harlan James (William Hurt) and Marlon James (Keanu Reeves). Nothing works.

In another movie, Kevin Kline's performance could be called racist. It's a cartoon character. It's kind of annoying and I would have preferred they start trying to kill him earlier. The based on true story moniker can be taken as a joke. There are some good black comedy but it's not all hitting right. Tracey Ullman and Joan Plowright are terrific. This is a bit of a hit and miss affair.

Loosely based on an attempted murder that happened in 1984, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where a women named Frances Toto repeatedly tried to kill her husband, Anthony, 'I Love You to Death' is An Entertaining Black-Comedy with Memorable Performances!

'I Love You to Death' Synopsis: Joey owns a pizza parlor, and is married to Rosalee, and is a major womanizer. Rosalee goes to extremes when she finds he has been cheating.

'I Love You to Death' is also nicely written by John Kostmayer. He creates a world of love & crime with a sense of humor & sadistic pleasure. Lawrence Kasdan's Direction, as always, is skilled. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are good.

Performance-Wise: Kevin Kline is extra-ordinary, as always. Kline's range as an actor is truly remarkable. Tracey Ullman is wonderful. Joan Plowright is just right. The Late/Great River Phoenix is impressive, while William Hurt & Keanu Reeves deliver some of the best laughs.

On the whole, 'I Love You to Death' is an effort well-done.

That's my favorite line from this movie. Had it been a lot more successful, it would likely be a fountain of memes.

It's indeed based on a true story, but only loosely, the true story didn't end so happily.

Not the greatest movie, but many good bits from many recognizable actors. The actors looked like they had a great time making it.

A surprise hit....at least with me. I found this dark comedy hilarious in spots and so-so in others, but overall a funny movie. With comedy that's what happens anyway: some jokes connect; others don't. Most are pretty good in here but beware: some of the jokes are in poor taste, but that's a dark comedy for you. Also, some Catholics might be offended because the film takes some shots at them, or at least people who go overboard in rationalizing their sins, as Kevin Kline does in here.

There is an odd assortment of actors in here and they all contribute to the fun: Kline, Tracey Ullman, William Hurt, River Phoenix, Keannu Reeves, Joan Plowright and James Gammon.

Supposedly, this film was based on a real-life happening, which makes it all the more interesting and lending credence to the saying that "truth is stranger than fiction."

Plowright almost steals the show from Kline and Ullman, the husband-and-wife team who have problems because of Kline's persistent cheating on her. Plowright in Ullman's mother and has some of the best lines in the film as mother and daughter plot how to kill the immoral Kline.

Phoenis plays a young New Age devotee and Hurt and Reeves are funny as two totally stoned-out hit men. Hurt is particularly good.

This movie is so-so to start until Ullman finds her husband cheating. Then, after a heart-wrenching minute or so, she and her mother plot to kill the unfaithful spouse. The comedy then goes full out as they hire these really goofy hit men and things don't go smoothly. The ending is quite different and quite touching with a very good message....which is all I will say in case you haven't seen this.

This movie is so funny! It's wacky and girly, and totally dated, but it gives a whole new meaning to the title phrase, and it also gives Kevin Kline the opportunity to try out a new accent. In this one he's Italian, and he's just as hilariously convincing as he was as Luc Teyssier in French Kiss. (And yes, I know this movie came out first.) He plays an Italian pizza parlor owner who can't keep it zipped. He's constantly unfaithful to his wife, Tracey Ullman, and when she finally finds out, it breaks her heart.

Rather than divorce him, because then he'd be free to play around guilt-free, she plots to kill him. It's a much worse punishment, you admit. With her mother, Joan Plowright, a buddy, River Phoenix, and inept hitmen, William Hurt and Keanu Reeves, the task is easier said than done. You've got to rent this silly, somewhat fantastical, comedy. It's odd, and definitely not enjoyable for guys to watch, but us girls will love it. And you'll get to see a cute cameo of Phoebe Cates (Mrs. Kevin Kline) at the disco!

Borrowed from a real-life account of a woman who wanted her cheating husband dead, this dark, dry comedy certainly had possibilities, but in the last quarter of the film the characters turn into bungling sillies and all hope is lost in the muddle. Kevin Kline is the pizzeria proprietor and womanizer, Tracey Ullman is his devoted wife, Joan Plowright is her Yugoslavian mother, River Phoenix plays an employee with a crush on Ullman, and William Hurt and Keanu Reeves are drug-addicts and would-be hit men. The "colorful" performances are mostly disappointing, all except for Ullman (doing fine work in an unattractive part) and Plowright (stealing scenes with the film's sharpest lines). An incredible array of talent is ultimately squandered on lethargic material which is awfully slow on laughs. Phoenix in particular seems totally out of his element. A few bright moments--all in the first hour. ** from ****

I love it when you sit down to watch a little cable/satellite television and there's nothing on, but then you stumble on a movie as good as this one. This is one of those movies that slipped through the cracks. The fact that it's based on a true story is one of the things that makes this movie so funny. I think Keanu Reeves and William Hurt offer some of the greatest performances I have ever seen. The cast is top notch. Rent this one when you have a free hour and a half. It'll be well worth the $3 or $4.

Not filma making's finest hour. I felt this movie was just to obviously silly. Nothing really memorable or interesting about it, in an odd way it reminded me of "Weekend at Bernie's". I think the movie tried to be funny in a very obvious,contrived way. Not the worst film ever made but certainly not one that makes it's mark in any way, shape or form.

Clever writing, able direction and a stellar cast make this film a modern classic that stands up to multiple viewings. Tracey Ullman and Joan Plowright star as Rosalie Boca and her mother Nadja, both so furious at the infidelity of Rosalie's husband Joey (Kevin Kline) that they decide to kill him. The ensuing misadventures are VERY funny, particularly the attempts by hired hit-men Harlan and Marlon James, not-too-bright cousins played by William Hurt and Keanu Reeves.

Yes, although Heather Graham is indeed in very little of this movie, it still makes my list (and I hate almost everything) for one of the very best comedy movies ever made. I was introduced to this movie by my best friend and barber, and every time it comes on Showtime I am compelled to watch - it never gets old. Chock full of shock humor and one-liners, it has never failed to bring down the house, no matter who I show it to.

I Love You to Death includes many of the best elements of the blackest comedies you will ever see, but without leaving you with a bitter aftertaste. That being said, be warned that if you are truly a fan of black comedy, you may find the ending a bit disappointing. One of Kevin Kline's best, and a showcase for the talents of the one and only Tracy Ullman. Also starring River Phoenix, Joan Plowman, and Keanu Reeves in a typical role for this stage of his career. A longtime favorite of mine and everyone I know (or if it's not, it will be).

I had actauly written a negative review of this one on imdb only a few days ago. By sheer coincidence I saw this movie again about 24 hours after I wrote the review(purely coincidental)

I had seen this when it first came out and then seen part of it again and did not like it AT ALL. My main problem was that it seemed contrived, I mean actually the movie kind of made me bewildered, I didn't understand the humer in it.

Well, I saw it again, the person I saw it with told me it was based on a true story, this was confirmed by imdb user comments. Knowing that, it changes my views on the movie. I honestly had no idea an incredible event like this ACTUALLY happened and knowing that can view the film differently and understand why so many loved it.

I love you to death will never be my favoroite movie but knowing what I do now I can say it's an interesting one(I just wish I'd known the true facts when I saw this years ago).

This Movie is absolutely hilarious, with everything from the cheeky smile of Kevin Kline, to the dopey persona of Keanu Reeves and the mysteriously weird River Phoenix. Every character is a different character, and that is partly what makes this movie so funny, it's like a commune of different personalities put in a certain situation, and what is funny is the way in which they each try to deal with it.

It is, of course highly underrated, which is really disappointing because it is so good and more people should see it!

I personally came across it as a River Phoenix fan, and I must be the only person who thinks it is one of his best roles, although he didn't get to do many....

But, this film is great and if you haven't seen it, do!

This movie was not funny because of its poor treatment of the subject matter.

It would be difficult to make a funny movie about the KKK and, without trivializing the evil of the KKK, romantic obsessions have killed a lot more people. Better movies like Strangers on a Train succeed at depicting killing your spouse because comic moments are balanced with an authentic appreciation of the horror.

Also horrifying, is the number of people who think this movie had a positive message and think the real life couple enjoyed a happy ending. Trying to kill someone is not a sign of love but of selfish attachment. As Gloria Steinem said: love is wanting the best for another person, romance is just wanting the other person.

In spite of Kevin Kline's fractured Italian accent, this is one of the funniest movies ever. It is a true story. I've seen the couple interviewed on two television programs.....they are exactly as Kevin Kline and Tracy Ullman depicted them. I have shown this tape to guests and most recently to a large group of seniors. My popularity rate has moved up a notch or two because of choosing this movie. It's a "feel good and leave you laughing" story. Well worth a trip and a search at the video store.

Kevin Kline is my favorite actor, and "I Love You to Death" strengthens that. He plays Joey Boca, a philandering pizza maker. When his wife Rosalie (Tracey Ullman) finds out about it, she sets out trying to kill him. Unfortunately, Joey somehow has the best luck in the world. So, Rosalie and her mother (Joan Plowright) decide to hire two outside men (William Hurt and Keanu Reeves) to do the dirty work. It turns out that these two men are a pair of uber-incompetent stoners. The whole fiasco ends in a really crazy situation.

Kevin Kline's Italian accent isn't totally believable, but his manic performance makes up for that. William Hurt and Keanu Reeves do a great job as the stoners. Excellent.

It's such a subtle movie that at first you're not sure if you should laugh... this movie is based on real people who did the talkshow circuit in the early 80s-- her from prison, him in person. Kevin Kline is brilliant as Joey Boca and Tracey Ullman is hilarious as his oblivious and then vengeful bride. So, if you feel like laughing, you should. Don't let this one pass!

All of the actors in this movie do hysterical work and make this movie very enjoyable to watch. Even Kline does a great Italian! Plowright and Tracey Ullman really resemble one another and their scenes are great. Add Harlan & Marlon (Hurt & Keanu) and River Phoenix, and a great cameo by Miriam Margoyles are Kleins' mother, and you've got yourself a highly watchable movie.

This film is pure pleasure to watch; so many fantastic actors, inappropriate laughs and quotable lines. I. Just. Love. It.

It's a film you can watch multiple times and feel at home when you do; the characters are brought to life so skilfully. You love them and enjoy them without end. Thank you, movie magic people, for giving us this glorious wonder.

Kevin Kline at his funniest. Tracy Ullman with her cunning American accent!

Who'd have guessed she's a limey?!? Ya' have to stick with it to reap the full rewards, but the ensemble cast including Joan Plowright, Keanu Reeves, River

Phoenix, and William Hurt is a brilliant mix of comedic talent! If you like dark comedies, definitely give this one a try!

I love this movie and its crazy to know that its a true story- a wacky but true story. I think the movie has a really different type of sense of humor but then again so do I. All of the characters are really funny in their own ways and it made me laugh to see them all interacting together. The father (Kevin Klein) is so clueless about everything. This movie takes some serious subjects and make them funny and something to joke about- not to mention its a true story. Also, Keanu Reeves who usually does serious movie roles like the matrix and sweet November is hilarious in this movie, he plays a total druggy and does a really good job at it. Anyways I have seen this movie tons of times and recommend that you watch it, maybe you'll like it maybe you wont.