Glasses: No
Doing an Accent?: No
Accent for Whole Film?: N/A
Hair: Yes
Does He Point At Someone?: Yes
Best Line: NO.
I know nothing about this play, but it seems it was a huge success. Possibly, but I can't disagree with the dismal takings that this film version took ($12m budget, $2m box office) as this is a technically interesting film - the actors acting in very rapid fire fashion, the charging about set, the back and forth dialogue - but whereas on the stage this must have been a thrilling "is this about to go wrong?"...............on the screen, it just doesn't pass muster.
We know they are edited.
We know if they made a mistake, they'll halt and re-shoot.
The suspension of disbelief just isn't strong enough.
Some stage plays get adapted and are very clearly a play, but work well (Sleuth, Deathtrap) but some are just too stagey to really work. I'm not a huge fan of farces either, to be frank.
Not a good start.
Still, as the stressed director attempting to hold a cast, production and career together in the midst of preparing a play to open, Caine does very well. Very well indeed, and I suspect its a script that actors love, so there is that. Has some proper barking at people loudly outbursts which are always fun.
The technical aspects of the film, being broken into the same show but in varying viewpoints each time is also very good.
Denholm Elliot is a wonder, as ever.
But thats about it. My notes make interesting reading as they start positive. Amused. Chuckling. Then "pretty tedious" appears about halfway through. My final note is "a load of crap" written as the credits rolled.
I stand by that. Sorry!
The double entendres don't really work. People walking around shouting SARDINES is amusing the third time. Perhaps not so much, the fortieth time.
Can't win 'em all. I was hoping for another Surrender. Even another Rio. I was hoping for a reasonable platter............. and I got handed a garage forecourt sandwich.
1. This shouldn't surprise me as its both Superman and its the middle of the shoulderpad era, but I found myself hypnotised by Christopher Reeves MASSIVE shoulders.
(Caine, mid exclaim)
2. I was starting to get bored, but the appearance of a bottle of J&B cheered me up no end.
Ah, J&B, the giallo blend of choice. My dear friend.
3. Attempting to charm scantily clad women by bearing unsubtle phallic gifts.
We've all been there.
Outfit of the film: Bold striped shirt, open at the neck. Blue silk thin neck scarf. Turquoise casual jacket to relax in.
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