Ladykillers, The

Aroview: The ever-talented Coen Brothers (O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?) take on the challenging task of updating the classic Ealing black comedy, importing its droll scenario into presentday Mississippi.

Playing the leader of a kookily mismatched criminal gang holed up in a boarding house, an over-charming Tom Hanks plots a robbery which is complicated by the unknowingly obstructive landlady (Hall). After concluding they must do away with her, they find this more difficult than anticipated.

Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, the Coens turn in a rather tame revision, retaining their amusing surface touches, but never quite finding a convincing grounding for the viciously genteel wit of the original in American soil.