Top comedy stars Tom Hanks and Shelley Long play Walter and Anna, a music industry lawyer and classical musician respectively, who are due to be kicked out of the apartment they've been using. It belongs to her ex-husband Max (Alexander Godunov), an egocentric orchestra conductor. Now they are in desperate need of lodging, and think they've found their solution when Walters' friend Jack (Josh Mostel) tells them about a mansion that the owner (Maureen Stapleton) is willing to unload cheaply. They soon find out the obvious answer: it's because this house is in TERRIBLE shape, and Walter & Anna have a number of slapstick misadventures trying to repair and remodel the house."The Money Pit" benefits from very engaging lead characters & performances; Hanks and a radiant Long have good chemistry and therefore make a believable couple. It also has great supporting characters & performances, too, from a sleazy carpenter (Joe Mantegna, who walks away with his one big scene), a bratty young pop star (Billy Lombardo), Max (the late Godunov is extremely amusing), and a can-do contractor named Curly (Philip Bosco). Hanks figures in the most gut busting moments, and he does one of the most priceless insane laughs that this viewer has ever heard.The movie itself, written by co-executive producer David Giler, and directed by actor Richard Benjamin, does manage to be very funny for a while (with a memorable image of Hanks slowly sinking into the floor), until it all gets a little over the top. Predictably, there is a major bump in the road for the Walter / Anna relationship, giving the story a little bit of humanity.You've already gotten a taste of the character actor talent in this review, but I'll refrain from listing all of the familiar faces in supporting parts and bits so you can discover them for yourself.Impressive stunts and sight gags help to make this a decent diversion.Seven out of 10.

A young couple struggles to repair a hopelessly dilapidated house.This is very much a classic 1980s comedy. And apparently, you can find it packaged with "The Burbs", which makes a lot of sense. Both Tom Hanks at that certainly period in his life, and both what I would call B-level comedies (whereas "Big" would be A-level).Much of the film is pretty funny, but I think it is hindered by the emotional aspect. I understand that is a part of the plot, but the way the characters react at that point is unbelievable -- even in a film full of unbelievable situations. I am also confused why the main character is an attorney. He doesn't seem very bright, and the things they have him doing seem more appropriate for an accountant.

This is the epitome of a 1980's popcorn film, the type of date film that appealed to both men and women (of all age) in pre-politically correct America. Filled with a ton of Three Stooges style farce, it is as filled with "Uh oh!" moments as the Mich later released "Home Alone" movies. Unhappilly divorced Shelley Long is loving in her ex-husband's house with boyfriend Tom Hanks when the temperamental former husband returns, putting the two of them out on the street. The couple decides to buy the beautiful but cheap mansion from wacky Maureen Stapleton which turns out to be a HUGE mistake. Falling front doors, collapsing curved stairways, faulty electricity and disgusting plumbing are just a few of the problems. Over-charging carpenters and plumbers, temperamental permit inspectors and the horny ex become a few more issues. Hanks finds himself battling the electricity (which results in a flying cooked turkey shooting out of the stove as a Julia Child program airs in the background, collapsing scaffolding and most hysterically, a carpeting with Hanks inside that slowly sinks through the floor are among the comic highlights.An abundance of over-the-top obnoxious characters make this at times difficult to take, but there were so many moments that had me laughing hysterically that I was able to forgive the dis-likable elements of the script. I would have liked to have seen more of the always lovable Stapleton as well as soap favorite Douglas Watson ("Another World"), seen in a prologue as Hank's father (getting married in Rio) which seems to be instantly forgotten. Alexander Houdenov, as Long's ex, is beyond despicable, and each scene he has makes me cringe. So don't expect a "Mr. Blandings", " The Egg and I" or even "Green Acres", but an occasionally pleasing comedy of moments, if not manners.

Walter Fielding (Tom Hanks) and Anna Crowley (Shelley Long) are a New York couple who has to search for a new place after her wild ex-husband the Maestro Max Beissart comes home. They find a grand mansion at a very low price. The lonely old woman at the house con them with a wild story that force them to buy blindly. Only when they move in, things fall apart.This was probably the height of Shelley Long's popularity. Tom Hanks is as lovable as ever. There are great pratfalls and great physical humor. It should be so much better than it actually is.Both her character and her acting don't lend itself to be likable. The role needs to be more sweet and cute. She's neither of those things. Their constant bickering and her constant complaining really makes it hard to root for these guys. The good part is the funny physical stuff. Those hold up great after all these years.