Lawn care doesn’t get anything near the attention it deserves from Hollywood–as opposed to, say, international arms smuggling or fraternities. Even so, the big screen has managed to present some significant portraits of the craft. Since summer means mowing the lawn, here are a few classic examples to keep in mind:
“Edward Scissorhands” (1990)
Johnny Depp is the silent artist who becomes a tract-home celebrity for his fanciful topiary work. And then they turn on him–just like your neighbors did when you put out that darling little plaster gnome.
“Lawn Dogs” (1997)
Mischa Barton plays an alienated rich girl who falls into a dangerous romance with Sam Rockwell’s strapping suburban mower-jockey. Apparently it’s not all rakes and fertilizer with these guys.
“The Lawnmower Man” (1992)
Jeff Fahey plays the titular handyman, who becomes an evil genius after treatment by misguided scientist Pierce Brosnan. Maybe if the script had included more lawn-care scenes, Stephen King might not have demanded that his name be removed from the credits.
“Caddyshack” (1980)
Dedicated groundskeeper Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) created what he describes as “a cross of Bluegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Featherbed Bent and Northern California sensemilia. The amazing stuff about this is that you can play 36 holes on it in the afternoon, take it home and just get stoned to the bejeezus-belt that night.”
“The Straight Story” (1999)
Richard Farnsworth plays an elderly Iowan who travels by riding mower all the way to his estranged brother’s home in Wisconsin. A quiet, heartfelt classic from an unlikely source: David Lynch, whose earlier “Blue Velvet” opens with a scene in which a suburban dad suffers a heart attack as he waters his lawn.
