I've watched this movie 5 times and each time I find another slew of great jokes, subtle sight gags or unexpected comedic high points. Never mind Dudley Moore, the real stars of this movie are Richard Griffiths, who last year took home an Oscar and Tony for his wildly hilarious and touching performance in History Boys, and his co-star, Penelope Wilton who plays the incredible Patricia in this movie. She manages to be guileless, disarming, charming and willful in the same scene. (Wilton also won a Tony for History Boys, was nominated for an Oscar, but lost out.) Not to mention Bryan Brown who is marvelous as the conflicted hit-man who secretly longs for a quiet corner and a florists' shop in which to retire. Who knew, after two F/X films, that he was so great at comedy. The main stars and head writer are comedy veterans from the Monty Python-precursor, Beyond the Fringe, and their adeptness with comedy really shows.
This movie has everything: A great plot worthy of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, or Tom Stoppard at his funniest (Think The Real Inspector Hound, or Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead.) If you like your comedy literate, with beautiful scenery, subtlety, a little dark humor around the edges, and a surprise ending, you will love this movie. The entire case of multiple mistaken identity is based on Bronson Pinchot's riotous inability (in his best acting job ever) to pronounce the English "H". The result spins out in an unpretentious and delightful romp around beauteous locations in Venice, with marvelous comedic touches. These include a mob hit man who delights in taking Polaroids of his victims in ever more distressing situations and sordid death scenes. The torture of Dudley Moore reminded me of the best plays of the Irishman, Martin McDonagh. Think the Lieutenant of Inishmore, and substitute a Venetian villa for the cat. It's here, it's gone, it's falling apart, no it's back again.
You wonder, throughout the second half of the movie, how the good guys will extricate themselves with all limbs intact, and how the evil doers will be punished. They are, and they do, all with several surprising twists that keep you guessing until the end. But you have to pay attention to appreciate everything else that is going on. (Look for the wonderful gags about Euruopean hotel cable TV, and the rhinoceroses at play.) Literate viewers who like witty repartee tossed off the way the Brits do it best, you will love this movie. Guaranteed.
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