Throw Momma from the Train (1987) is a darkly comedic thriller that puts a hilarious spin on Alfred Hitchcock's classic 'Strangers on a Train.' The film follows Larry Donner (Billy Crystal), a bitter writing professor whose successful ex-wife has stolen his novel, and Owen Lift (Danny DeVito), his socially awkward student who suffers under the tyrannical rule of his overbearing mother (Anne Ramsey). When Owen misinterprets Larry's classroom discussion of murder plots, he proposes they 'criss-cross' - each killing the other's problem person.

Danny DeVito, who also directed the film, delivers a masterclass in comedic timing alongside Billy Crystal's perfect straight-man exasperation. Their chemistry drives the film's escalating absurdity as their amateur murder scheme goes increasingly awry. Anne Ramsey earned an Academy Award nomination for her unforgettable performance as the monstrous Momma, creating one of cinema's most memorably awful mothers.

The film succeeds as both a clever homage to Hitchcockian suspense and a character-driven comedy about desperation and unlikely friendship. DeVito's direction balances slapstick humor with genuine tension, creating a unique tone that has earned the film cult status. Viewers should watch Throw Momma from the Train for its brilliant performances, sharp writing, and the sheer entertainment of watching two completely inept would-be criminals navigate their disastrous pact. At 88 minutes, it's a tight, consistently funny dark comedy that remains thoroughly rewatchable decades later.