While cooped up during this pandemic, take a look into the abstruse corners of Netflix or YouTube Movies.
Obscure Movie Review explores films that are more-or-less mainstream (or at least supposed to be), with actors and directors you've heard of, but flew under the radar.
In the early 1990s Mike Myers found big screen success with the Wayne's World movies, parlaying that momentum into the Austin Powers franchise, and with a new decade the Shrek series was underway. So why did this 1993 comedy miss out on his Midas touch?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A romance with edge
So I Married an Axe Murderer stars Myers as the commitment phobic Charlie, who has a history of concocting ridiculous reasons to end relationships - such as believing one ex was in the mafia. However, he soon finds himself head-over-heals in love with Harriet (Nancy Travis).
His tabloid-reading mother May (Brenda Fricker) had earlier planted a seed when she showed him the story of "Mrs X", a woman who married three men and killed them on their respective honeymoons. And as the couple begin to get more serious, Charlie again seems to be undermining his own relationship.
Best friend and police detective Tony (Australia's Anthony LaPaglia) is certain it's all in his head. Reassuring him by seeing what he can find out through work.
But this time it might not just be Charlie's imagination. Harriet is cagey on the subject of her past and what she does let on seems to line up with the details of the Mrs X story.
You probably noticed...
The San Francisco of this movie is inhabited by weird and wacky characters, provided by some notable cameo appearances.
Michael Richards - aka Kramer from Seinfeld - is the "very insensitive man" at the newspaper, making jokes about the obituaries. And deadpan comedian Steven Wright is the sleepy pilot.
The late Phil Hartman (The Simpsons, Jingle All the Way) is the intense "Vicky" giving the guided tour of Alcatraz. While Alan Arkin - who strangely went uncredited - is Tony's boss, who he talks into being more like the police captains on television and in movies.
What's in a song?
The So I Married an Axe Murderer soundtrack is a delight, it's loaded with jangly alternative rock that perfectly matches the artsy San Fran setting. And proves that the early/mid 90s wasn't all about the dour grunge from up the coast at rainy old Seattle.
Particular prominence is given to There She Goes, namely the Boo Radleys' cover that was recorded for the film. Although the original version by The La's, from 1988, is also included.
The song would get yet another lease on life in 1999 thanks to Sixpence None the Richer. Marking three takes on the track in a little over a decade.
Why is it obscure?
The original screenplay by writer Robbie Fox was reworked by Myers and friend Neil Mullarkey, once the star was on board following the success of Wayne's World the year prior. It would make $11.5 million at the box office, which was around half its budget.
The response by critics was a collective "must try harder". Indeed, the late Roger Ebert's review called it "a mediocre movie with a good one trapped inside, wildly signaling to be set free".
On the longer arc of Myers' career, this was a blip on the radar. It was released in July of 1993 and in December of that year Wayne's World 2 would be some kind of redemption - even if it wasn't the smash hit its predecessor was.
He's someone who has enjoyed spectacular success and spectacular failure, for the latter think The Love Guru and The Cat in the Hat. Perhaps So I Married an Axe Murderer isn't widely known because it was neither famous nor infamous.
However, it's since gained cult film status. Fans of Myers' work have latched onto it, much in the same way that they've deemed the aforementioned Wayne's World 2 to be a worthy sequel.
OBSCURE MOVIE REVIEWS RATINGS:
- Hidden Gem - the highest rating, a genuinely good movie that shouldn't be obscure;
- Missed Opportunity - a flawed movie that had potential but fell short for whatever reason;
- Guilty Pleasure - not a good movie, but enjoyable, think 'so bad it's good';
- Best Forgotten - obscure for a reason, don't bother with it.
The verdict
GUILTY PLEASURE
While the critics' response might point towards this being a 'Missed Opportunity', So I Married an Axe Murderer is too enjoyable for that label. It's just goofy fun and you will laugh at it.
Sure it's got its shortcomings - the climax doesn't seem to work that well - but it's not something that was ever going to be a masterpiece anyway. If you like Myers' antics in his better known works, there's no reason why you wouldn't enjoy this one.
Although this movie is an unusual one for him, in that it's one of the rare times he's not buried deep within a character. There's no wig, no prosthetics, no over-the-top voice or accent, and no cartoony catchphrases - Charlie's just a regular guy.
But he makes up for that by also playing the part of the protagonist's Scottish father Stuart. Which is not only something of a forerunner to Fat Bastard, but also introduced the multiple roles concept that was a signature of the Austin Powers films.
Read more Obscure Movie Reviews here: