The Addams Family (1991)
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A macabre, aristocratic family deals with the unexpected return of a long-lost relative.
The story
The film focuses on the bizarre, macabre, and aristocratic Addams family. When Gomez Addams' lawyer discovers that a man named Gordon closely resembles Gomez's long-lost brother, Fester, he proposes that Gordon pose as the missing relative. Gordon is introduced to the family as the returned Fester, while his handler, Abigail, poses as a psychiatrist. The family welcomes the 'returned' brother into their eccentric household, leading to a series of comedic interactions as the truth of the situation remains hidden from the Addamses while they navigate their strange lifestyle and the presence of the newcomer.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Gomez Addams believes his brother Fester has been missing for 25 years. When a con artist named Abigail finds a man named Gordon who looks like Fester, she convinces Gomez's lawyer to have Gordon pose as the brother to help her find the family's hidden vault. Gordon is introduced to the family as the 'returned' Fester. While the Addamses welcome him, Gordon struggles to maintain the ruse as Gomez begins to suspect he is an impostor. Amidst the tension, the family is eventually forced to move into a motel after a legal dispute over their property. During this time, Gordon grows close to the children, Wednesday and Pugsley. The plot culminates in a confrontation where Gordon, fed up with Abigail's behavior, uses a magical book to unleash a hurricane, which strikes him with lightning. Seven months later, it is revealed that Gordon was actually the real Fester, who had been suffering from amnesia after being lost in the Bermuda Triangle. He recovers his memories after the lightning strike, and the family is reunited.
- First release year
- 1991
- Runtime (minutes)
- 100
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Barry Sonnenfeld
- Writers
- Caroline Thompson · writer; Larry Wilson · writer
- Cast and characters
- Anjelica Huston · Morticia Addams; Raul Julia · Gomez Addams; Christopher Lloyd · Fester Addams
- Genres
- supernatural black comedy; comedy horror; fantasy comedy; supernatural horror
- Themes
- family; identity; memory
- Tone and mood
- macabre; comedy
- Setting
- A large estate and a motel during the late 20th century.
- Premise and plot tags
- supernatural; black comedy; amnesia; Halloween
- Source material / true-story basis
- comic strip characters created by Charles Addams
- Franchise connections
- The Addams Family
- Reception
- The film was commercially successful and received mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising the cast while noting a disjointed script.
- Awards and nominations
- Best Horror Film of the Year · Horror Hall of Fame · 1991 · win; Golden Globe Award · Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy · 1991 · nomination; Academy Award · Best Costume Design · nomination; Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Original Song · 1992 · win; Kids' Choice Award · Favorite Movie · 1992 · win
- Production trivia
- The film's music included 'Addams Groove' by MC Hammer as the theme song.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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