“I Love You to Death” is a riveting comedy based upon a true story. It concerns a bunch of basically decent people who decide to kill a man. The would-be killers come off as extremely sympathetic even during the attempted murder.

Kevin Kline is excellent in the role of Joey Broca, a pizza restaurant owner with an overactive libido. He brings the same kind of manic energy to the role that he displayed in “A Fish Called Wanda” and “Sophie’s Choice.” Joey is highly promiscuous and charming.

Tracy Ullman (of TV’s “The Tracy Ullman Show”) plays Rosalie, his practical and hard-working wife. At first, she dismisses his flirtatious behavior, but eventually her relatives convince her she should dispose of her unfaithful husband.

River Phoenix (my candidate for Actor with the Best Name) plays Devo Rod, Rosalie’s understanding young friend who is the first to suspect Joe’s infidelity and attempts to warn her.

One of the funniest lines in the film occurs when Devo hires two incompetent drug addicts (portrayed by William Hurt and Keanu Reeves) to kill Joey. Rosalie is alarmed when she finds out they are drug addicts, so her mother tells her, “Don’t think of them as drug addicts—think of them as killers.”

“I Love You to Death” was directed by Lawrence Kasdan, who has built a good reputation with such films as “The Big Chill,” “The Accidental Tourist” and “Body Heat.” “I Love You to Death” is goofier and has a lighter tone than his previous films.

The film’s strongest point is the winning characterizations. The characters are all delightfully offbeat and memorable. Joan Plowwright is hilarious in the role of Rosalie’s tabloid-loving, Yugoslavian-born mother. Victoria Jackson of Saturday Night Live plays one of Joey’s ditzy mistresses.

On the whole, the film is effective and extremely funny and manages to be both joyful and entertaining despite its serious subject matter.