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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Some like it Hot (Directed by Billy Wilder)



IMDB page

Starring: Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe

She said:

If you are yet to see Some like it Hot (1959) then let me tell you - you have really missed out. This is a classic comedy that has stood the test of time. Risque for its time this is repeatedly voted as one of the best films of all time and it is easy to see why. Many films have tried the 'men undercover as women' story since but none have met the level of wit and sheer enjoyability of this film.

The best thing about Some Like it Hot is of course its three main actors - Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe, all big stars at the time. It is great to watch films with Monroe because her images is probably one of the most replicated in history and yet, weirdly enough, most younger people probably haven't seen her in that much! She has an air of mystery (and tragedy) surrounding her and this film is an example of how magical an actress she was. She is cute and very funny, playing ditzy babe - appropriately called Sugar Kane - with ease.

Of course the two men give stellar performances as Josephine and Daphne! The situations are hilarious with one girl being courted by a rich gentlemen and the other trying to court Monroe. Their dynamic as a comedy duo is sharp and, as I said earlier, the style and delivery of the jokes stands the test of time.

Personally I would much rather watch this drag film than something like White Chicks (2004) or Sorority Boys (2002). Perhaps the concept was more risque back in the 50s and therefore seems fresh and not so slapstick as it does now. In fact there are also women in very little clothes and homosexual undertones in this film! I expect this film was many a person's guilty pleasure when it came out. I can't imagine mothers wanting their teenage daughters running out to see something this 'out there'.

One of the most sophisticated and funny comedies in history which claims one of the most famous movie lines ever - "I'm actually a man!" "Well... nobody's perfect." It also has one of the most famous behind-the-scenes quotes ever: when Curtis was asked what is is like to kiss Marilyn Monroe he said it was "like kissing Hitler".

Watch it for Monroe, watch it for Lemmon/Curtis it doesn't matter just watch it. I give this film 5 out of 5.

1 comment:

  1. I love this film and now want to see it again.
    Most memorable bit for me is the 'Shell Oil' line :)
    Great review.

    ReplyDelete