Habitual criminal Hi (Nicolas Cage) and police officer Ed (Holly Hunter) meet in the joint, fall in love and get married. Unfortunately, Ed can’t have children, so they concoct a daring plan to kidnap one of a local businessman’s quintuplets for their own compensation.
Unfortunately, two old friends of Hi’s (John Goodman and William Forsythe) have escaped from prison and gatecrash the new family home. Meanwhile, a gruff bounty hunter is out for the $25k reward. However, the desire to have a nice family unit is taking its’ toll on Hi and Ed’s own welfare and future….
The Coen Brothers hit nicely with this entertaining rural noir which is playful enough and contains accomplished performances from Cage and Hunter, who then went on to do really well in films like CON AIR and THE PIANO (for which Hunter won a Best Actress Oscar).
A trademark quality screenplay from the Coens is one of their best in this energetic and vibrant offering.