Drowning Mona

Plot

When a woman drives a car into the river to her death, everyone in town becomes a suspect.

Release Year: 2000

Rating: 5.4/10 (8,564 voted)

Critic's Score: 25/100

Director:
Nick Gomez

Stars: Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Neve Campbell

Storyline
Mona Dearly, a spiteful, loud-mouthed, unpopular woman dies when the car she is driving in plunges off a cliff and into a river near the small upstate New York town where she lives. Wyatt Rash, the local police chief, investivates and suspects foul play in Mona's death and tries to contain the whole town whom all are suspects who include Wyatt's daughter Ellen, who is going to marry landscape artist Bobby Calzone whose business was suffering from his lazy business partner, Jeff, Mona's slow-witted son, as well as waitress Rona Mace, who was having an affair with Mona's husband.

Cast:

Danny DeVito
–

Chief Wyatt Rash

Bette Midler
–

Mona Dearly

Neve Campbell
–

Ellen Rash

Jamie Lee Curtis
–

Rona Mace

Casey Affleck
–

Bobby Calzone

William Fichtner
–

Phil Dearly

Marcus Thomas
–

Jeff Dearly

Peter Dobson
–

Lt. Feege Gruber

Kathleen Wilhoite
–

Lucinda

Tracey Walter
–

Clarence

Will Ferrell
–

Cubby the Funeral Director

Paul Ben-Victor
–

Deputy Tony Carlucci

Paul Schulze
–

Deputy Jimmy D.

Mark Pellegrino
–

Murph Calzone

Raymond O'Connor
–

Father Tom Stowick

Taglines:
Who wanted to see Mona Dearly dead? Take a number.

Release Date: 3 March 2000

Filming Locations: Franklin Canyon Reservoir, Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $16,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $5,802,229
(USA)
(5 March 2000)
(1981 Screens)

Gross: $16,175,100
(Worldwide)
(2000)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Every character's automobile has personalized plates.

Goofs:

Continuity:
When all people are gathering in front of Rona's house, and two policemen are stepping out of their car, we can see Lucinda's pickup truck behind them. But few shots after it we can see Lucinda just arriving.

Quotes:

Jeff Dearly:
Look, I heard you the first time, Bobby. I ain't mute.

User Review

Underrated gem…

Rating: 10/10


I believe that this movie was panned when it first came out, and I
don't know why. It is truly an underrated comedic gem that deserves
more recognition. The performances are perfect (with the exception of
Campbell) and the dialogue is hysterical.

William Fichtner steals the show as the sleazy "battered husband." His
performance is tops in a stellar cast. Marcus Thomas is excellent as
his son and lazy landscaping partner to Affleck, who is marvelous as
the nervous and long-suffering lead. Will Ferrell puts in a great cameo
as a creepy mortician.

Are there flaws? Of course. As another comment mentioned, Tracy
Walter's character, Clarence, could have been developed more. Also,
some the other characters' run-ins with Mona probably could've been
better detailed as well, and the resolution isn't the most satisfying.
But this movie is less about the plot and more great characterizations
and riotous dialogue.

I own the DVD and I roll with laughter every time I see it, even though
I practically have it memorized. This movie should be remembered as