Raising Arizona
Raising Arizona
Recidivist hold-up man H.I. McDonnough and policewoman Edwina marry, and then discover that they are unable to conceive a child. Desperate for a baby, the pair decide to kidnap one of the quintuplets of furniture tycoon Nathan Arizona. The McDunnoughs try to keep their crime secret, while friends, co-workers, and a feral bounty hunter look to use Nathan Jr. for their own purposes.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 3, 2025
I’m not a huge Coen Brothers fan, though I will say that Fargo is one of my all time favorite movies. Raising Arizona just may have become my second favorite Coen Brothers film though. It’s a comedy of errors crime flick with Nic Cage and Holly Hunter in the center attempting to kidnap a baby because of their own inability to bear children. Though their crime is rather despicable, there’s a tenderness in their pursuit of parenthood and their dedication to each other that makes Cage and Hunter easier to root for most of the Coens’ other flawed protagonists. An ridiculous chase scene in the middle of the film is probably my favorite moment. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that this features a Long Cold Open.