A fine example of a good cast being put through their paces, trying to dig out something great from weak material.

"Drowning Mona" is a frustrating comedy. It has interesting characters and situations and I found myself really enjoying the film--only to have it all fizzle at the end. And, with such an unsatisfying ending and its inability to capitalize on a potentially funny situation, it's a film that you probably shouldn't rush to see on DVD.

This film is very unusual in that one of the main characters of the film, Mona (Bette Midler) is killed in the first few minutes of the movie. The car she's driving has been sabotaged and the vehicle goes careening into the river. The head of the local police, Chief Rash (Danny DeVito),investigates the case and soon learns that the brakes were tampered with in multiple ways--as if someone REALLY wanted to make sure she was dead. And so, through a series of interviews and flashbacks, you learn who did this as well as what a thoroughly awful and hateful person Mona was.

The film gets high marks for setting the right stage for a comedy. Mona is so awful I kept thinking that EVERYONE in town was in on the murder---sort of like in "Murder on the Orient Express". But t just didn't capitalize on the comedy gold that seemed to be awaiting the viewer. Funny people, a funny idea and then...nothing.

By the way, I noticed that a lot of reviewers didn't like how dark the tone was of the film. I actually liked that a lot--I just didn't think they were able to capitalize on this properly--hence my score of 6--which indicates it's mildly amusing and watchable but nothing more.

"Drowning Mona" has some funny lines - namely the part about potato salad - but most of the movie is too weird to register as anything. Portraying an obnoxious woman (Bette Midler) getting killed in a small town in upstate New York and the fact that everyone had a motive, it almost gives one the feeling that they're trying to make murder look funny. They probably aren't, but the whole thing is just weird.

Anyway, the movie isn't awful, but there are many better movies out there. Not even the impressive cast (Danny DeVito, Neve Campbell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Casey Affleck, William Fichtner, Tracey Walter and Will Ferrell) can save this one.