Tom Hanks and the Coen brothers take the title, the concept (sweet little old lady outwits criminals), the teeth, and the slightly sepulchral laugh from the 1955 English black comedy classic. They may miss the primary point (and joke) of the original, and they tone down their usual corkscrew dialogue and mordant humor, but they still manage to provide some wicked pleasures. The Coens love characters who are sweet but not very bright, especially when they …showed first 75 words of 520 total…

…showed last 75 words of 520 total…a garbage scow with a dead body funny. Parents should know that the main characters are despicable criminals who lie, steal, and kill, all played for comedy. The humor is very macabre and may offend some viewers. Characters drink, smoke, and use extremely strong language, including sexual references and the n-word. Families who see this movie should talk about whether it is true that no one gets hurt when insurance pays for the stolen goods.