Inspired by the 1935 French film "Fanfare of Love": Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) are struggling musicians in Chicago during the Prohibition era in the late 1920s. After unintentionally witnessing a crime, they have to hide by changing their names (and appearances) to Josephine and Daphne and join an all-female band that is on its way to Miami. Once in the band, both are smitten by the lead singer and ukulele player, Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe).
This film succeeds greatly as a mix of various genres and excelling in all of them: crime drama, love story, and ultimately one of the funniest comedies ever with many hilarious lines by screenwriters Billy Wilder (also the film's director) and I. A. L. Diamond. The film also includes a lot of fine music highlighted by Monroe's singing voice.
Among many things to love, the highlights include Curtis' female voice plus his ability to play three roles (he also plays a fake heir to an oil corporation in order to woo Sugar); Monroe's portrayal as someone so lovesick and vulnerable that she is totally unaware of the power of her goddess-like beauty; Lemmon's hyper-nervous energy and all the trouble that follows including being relentlessly chased by a millionaire named Osgood (Joe E. Brown, also hilarious) who is in love with "Daphne"; the night of tango dancing between Daphne and Osgood plus Daphne's recall of the events later that night to Joe; and ultimately, the overnight train trip from Chicago to Miami. The train scene has many moments of hilarity and shows Lemmon at his comical best. And its climactic ending is the icing on the cake.
Other performers in this great cast include George Raft as a crime boss, Joan Shawlee as the band leader, and Dave Barry as the band's manager.
A delight worthy of all its praises. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
This film succeeds greatly as a mix of various genres and excelling in all of them: crime drama, love story, and ultimately one of the funniest comedies ever with many hilarious lines by screenwriters Billy Wilder (also the film's director) and I. A. L. Diamond. The film also includes a lot of fine music highlighted by Monroe's singing voice.
Among many things to love, the highlights include Curtis' female voice plus his ability to play three roles (he also plays a fake heir to an oil corporation in order to woo Sugar); Monroe's portrayal as someone so lovesick and vulnerable that she is totally unaware of the power of her goddess-like beauty; Lemmon's hyper-nervous energy and all the trouble that follows including being relentlessly chased by a millionaire named Osgood (Joe E. Brown, also hilarious) who is in love with "Daphne"; the night of tango dancing between Daphne and Osgood plus Daphne's recall of the events later that night to Joe; and ultimately, the overnight train trip from Chicago to Miami. The train scene has many moments of hilarity and shows Lemmon at his comical best. And its climactic ending is the icing on the cake.
Other performers in this great cast include George Raft as a crime boss, Joan Shawlee as the band leader, and Dave Barry as the band's manager.
A delight worthy of all its praises. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Directing by Billy Wilder
- Acting Ensemble.