Alright, fellow tape travellers, dim the lights, adjust the tracking if you have to, and let’s rewind to 1993. Remember that feeling? Wandering the aisles of the video store, maybe grabbing some pizza money, and landing on that cover? The slightly goofy picture of Mike Myers looking charmingly nervous next to a maybe-maybe-not deadly Nancy Travis? That’s right, we’re diving headfirst into the quirky, paranoid, surprisingly sweet world of So I Married an Axe Murderer. This wasn't your typical blockbuster smash, but boy, did it find its people on those well-worn VHS tapes passed between friends.
### Heed! Pants! Now! A Poet Finds Love (Maybe)
The film drops us right into the heart of 90s San Francisco, a city captured here with a slightly hazy, romantic glow perfect for our protagonist, Charlie MacKenzie (Mike Myers). Charlie isn't just a commitment-phobe; he's a beat poet whose relationship anxieties manifest in increasingly outlandish theories about his girlfriends. He’s charming, he’s funny, but he’s paralyzed by the fear of settling down… or maybe just the fear of his latest paramour being, you know, literally deadly. When he meets Harriet Michaels (Nancy Travis), a witty, down-to-earth butcher (red flag? Maybe!), it seems like he might finally have found "the one." But soon, whispers from the Weekly World News—that bastion of journalistic integrity—and his own overactive imagination start planting seeds of doubt. Is Harriet the sweet girl next door, or the notorious "Mrs. X," a black widow who offs her husbands on their honeymoons?
It's a premise that teeters beautifully between rom-com sweetness and Hitchcockian paranoia, a blend that director Thomas Schlamme (who would later bring his sharp eye to TV gems like The West Wing and Sports Night) navigates with a light touch. The romance feels genuine; Myers and Travis have a lovely, sparky chemistry that makes you root for them, even as Charlie spirals. You genuinely want him to overcome his neuroses, even if a tiny part of you wonders… what if he’s right?
### Double Duty Myers and Scene-Stealing Scots
Let's be honest, a huge part of the enduring charm here is Mike Myers. This was peak early Myers, post-Wayne's World but pre-Austin Powers global domination. He brings his signature mix of vulnerability and sharp comedic timing to Charlie. But where the movie truly blasts off into comedic hyperspace is whenever Charlie visits his parents. Because, yes, Myers also plays his own father, Stuart MacKenzie, a gloriously unfiltered, conspiracy-theory-spouting Scotsman whose thick accent and even thicker opinions steal every single scene he's in. "Head! Move!" – lines like these became instant classics, endlessly quoted on playgrounds and in dorm rooms. Reportedly, Myers heavily improvised Stuart's dialogue, bringing a raw, unpredictable energy that perfectly captures that eccentric relative we all seem to have. It’s a masterclass in character comedy nestled inside a rom-com thriller.
Supporting players also shine. Anthony LaPaglia is fantastic as Tony, Charlie's exasperated best friend and slightly put-upon cop, trying to inject some reality into Charlie's increasingly wild theories while dealing with his own aspirations of being a tough undercover detective. His deadpan reactions are the perfect foil to Myers' antics. And Brenda Fricker brings a warm, slightly mischievous energy as Charlie's mom, May, equally proud of her boy and prone to tabloid gossip herself.
### A Cult Classic Forged in the Video Store
So I Married an Axe Murderer wasn't exactly a box office titan back in '93. It landed with a bit of a thud, critically and commercially (pulling in about $11.5 million against a $20 million budget – ouch). Critics seemed unsure what to make of its genre-bending, and perhaps audiences weren't quite ready for this specific flavour of Myers. But oh, how the humble VHS tape gave this film a second life! This was prime rental material, the kind of movie you'd grab on a Friday night, maybe having heard a friend rave about the Scottish dad bits. It found its audience slowly, surely, building a devoted cult following that appreciates its unique humour, quotable lines, and genuine heart.
Interestingly, the script by Robbie Fox apparently went through significant changes. Initial drafts were reportedly darker, more thriller-focused. Myers himself did substantial rewrites to tailor the Charlie character and, of course, inject the unforgettable Stuart MacKenzie persona. And can you imagine anyone else as Harriet? Rumour has it Sharon Stone, hot off Basic Instinct (1992), was considered. That certainly would have shifted the tone! Instead, Nancy Travis brought a grounded warmth that makes the central question – is she or isn't she? – so much more compelling.
The film also boasts a killer soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates that early 90s alternative vibe, anchored by The La's unforgettable "There She Goes," which became inextricably linked with the film's romantic moments. It adds another layer to the film's nostalgic appeal, instantly transporting you back.
### Does it Still Chop?
Watching So I Married an Axe Murderer today is like revisiting an old friend. Sure, some of the plot mechanics feel a little thin, and the central mystery isn't exactly Agatha Christie. But who cares? The charm isn't in the suspense; it's in the characters, the dialogue, the sheer comedic energy Myers brings, especially as Stuart. The San Francisco locations look great, captured before CGI could smooth every edge. There's a tangible quality to it, a feeling of a real place inhabited by endearingly weird people. Remember how mind-blowing some of those simple reaction shots or comedic set-pieces felt without flashy editing? It relies on performance and timing, a craft that still resonates. It remains incredibly rewatchable, packed with lines you’ll still find yourself quoting.
VHS Heaven Rating: 8/10
Justification: While the thriller plot is a bit flimsy and it didn't set the box office alight initially, So I Married an Axe Murderer scores high for its brilliant dual performance by Mike Myers, genuinely funny and quotable dialogue, winning romantic chemistry, and its status as a beloved cult classic born from the VHS era. It perfectly blends genres into something uniquely charming and endlessly rewatchable.
Final Thought: A quirky gem that proves sometimes the best discoveries weren't on the 'New Releases' wall, but hidden deeper in the comedy aisle, waiting to become a personal favourite. Heed! Rewind! Now!