By: Michael Nordine

Michael Nordine — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:52:00 +0000

I love the idea that they’re brothers, but even if they’re not, there’s definitely something powerful linking the two of them.
H.I. says this when he first dreams of Smalls (which is also the first time we see him): ”

I didn’t know where he came from or why. I didn’t know if he was dream or vision. But I feared that I myself had unleashed him. For he was the fury that would be as soon as Florence Arizona found her little Nathan gone.” It’s as though Smalls wouldn’t exist had H.I. and Ed not taken the baby.

By: Tully

Tully — Thu, 12 May 2011 14:47:00 +0000

You know, I had a bit of a potential revelation reading this review. The first many times I saw this movie, I simply appreciated it as an off-the-wall comedy. But years later, I had one of those viewings where it resonated much more deeply. As in, I saw the character of Leonard Smalls as the dark underbelly alter-ego of H.I. McDonnough himself. But reading this review and its emphasis on parents—good, bad, present, not present—another thought sprung to mind: what if Leonard and H.I. are actually brothers who were separated at birth? Something about the same tattoo bearing the logo of the same auto parts distributor. Is that reading too deeply into it or is that actually worth considering? I can’t wait to watch it again and look for more clues to support this theory. Thanks for the review, Mike!

Comments on: RAISING ARIZONA

By: Michael Nordine

By: Tully