Why does a breezy cul-de-sac comedy feel like a standoff at high noon? The clue is in the lens that draws first, tipping its hat to a giant you might not expect.
Suburbia gets a spaghetti-western stare-down in Joe Dante’s 1989 dark comedy, where the camera prowls and snaps into audacious zooms echoing Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West. Tom Hanks, not Charles Bronson, becomes the unlikely face framed by those operatic moves, as the film tweaks its tone to fit his everyman charm. What once looked like a stylistic lark for a neighborhood caper helped the movie outlive its lukewarm reviews, amassing cult devotion and fresh attention amid talk of a series spinoff.
A playful tribute to cinematic history
No matarás… al vecino, known internationally as The ‘Burbs, directed by Joe Dante and released in 1989, initially seemed like just another dark comedy starring Tom Hanks. Yet beneath the quirky humor lies an homage to Sergio Leone. Through distinctive camera techniques, the film nods to the vocabulary of spaghetti westerns, particularly Once Upon a Time in the West.
Les Banlieusards (1989) – Les zooms effectués dans cette scène sont un hommage au film Le Bon, la Brute et le Truand (1966)
par u/JagBak73 dans MovieDetails
Tom Hanks, Joe Dante, and a clever reimagining
In the late ’80s, Tom Hanks was fast becoming a household name in comedy. The ‘Burbs, with its eccentric suburban setting, added another hit to his growing résumé. Thanks to director Joe Dante, this was far from a standard offbeat comedy. The original ending was rewritten to better suit Hanks’ charm, yet Dante’s creative vision remained intact, especially in the precise use of camera work.
Inspired by Sergio Leone, Dante employed selective zooms and deliberate framing that unmistakably recall the iconic western filmmaker. It is hard not to imagine Charles Bronson’s steely eyes replaced by Hanks’ wide-eyed expressions, a surprisingly effective twist on a classic cinematic style.
Behind the camera: a Leone-inspired lens
Joe Dante’s decision to reference Leone’s work fits his playful approach to film language, integrating nods to masters of cinema. In The ‘Burbs, even the exaggerated zoom-ins and whip pans feel like an affectionate wink to fans of spaghetti westerns. The unexpected blend of suburban comedy with the grandeur and tension typical of Once Upon a Time in the West is what makes these references so memorable.
The film fuses Leone-esque storytelling techniques with Hanks’ comedic timing, creating an unusual mix of humor and suspense. The creative risks taken by Dante, especially in the cinematography, helped secure the movie’s place in the cult film pantheon.
A cult following and a potential new chapter
Though critics were lukewarm after its release, the film has since earned a loyal fan base. Part of this enduring appeal comes from the unexpected layers of craftsmanship, like the nods to Leone, hidden beneath the comedic surface. Decades later, the movie resonates enough to inspire talk of a TV adaptation, which could further explore its quirky blend of homage and invention.
Ultimately, The ‘Burbs stands as a reminder of the enduring influence of filmmakers like Sergio Leone on contemporary cinema. Even in the most unlikely genres, their legacy continues to find inventive new forms.