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Some Like It Hot (1959)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
7/12, 8/25
7/12:
And Cary Grant said, "I don't talk like that."
Billy Wilder had a knack for turning his films into gold, and Some Like It Hot is one of them. Maybe
it's the writing...maybe it's the direction...maybe it's the performances. Most likely, it's been all of them.
But whenever the mob guys show up, the outcome isn't what I hoped for overall. After the ball is kicked back
to the principal trio, it's been amusing.
Jack Lemmon gives the best performance while Tony Curtis is underrated. Marilyn Monroe is okay, but she's greatly
overshadowed by the first two because they're better actors. Joe E. Brown is special as Osgood Fielding III who
has a comeback line of all time at the end: "Well, nobody's perfect."
All in all, although Some Like It Hot is funny, the mob angle chips it away too much.
8/25:
Fans of Some Like It Hot should read the book by Tony Curtis; it's instructive and very funny.
I wish I can say same for the film that's certainly not the "funniest ever made." The pace slows down a
great deal in the last thirty minutes. I think it's because Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond were making up stuff
on the fly. Therefore, the conversations can sometimes be boring to listen to; the characters just talk so
much rubbish. Worse is the mob angle biting too much away from the intended comedy.
If I have to pick who's responsible for the show having a pulse, it's Jack Lemmon. That's why he was rewarded
with an Oscar nomination. The best scene he had is the all-girls party in berth 7. There are other terrific
moments as well. Tony Curtis has a certain range which allows him to make three of his characters work. Thus, he
was robbed of an Oscar nomination. Joe E. Brown steals the movie at the end with one of the greatest lines
ever: "Well, nobody's perfect."
However, Marilyn Monroe is the weakest link. When I saw the film in 2012, I felt something was off with her.
It wasn't until I read Tony Curtis' book that explained everything. Jack Lemmon was all over the place, hence
his amazing versatility, while Tony Curtis worked hard to cook a couple of schemes. But Marilyn Monroe is so
one-note the entire time. To compensate for it, she thinks showing off her body will do. That's not a true
actress but eye candy. I'm not going to say Marilyn Monroe hurt the movie, but if she couldn't give more, then
Billy Wilder used her to bring in eyeballs.
Remember when I pointed out that Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond were making up stuff on the fly, they also
lost control of the plot. Let's not forget what Jack Lemmon's and Tony Curtis' characters were supposed to be
doing once they hit Florida, and that's to perform in the band for the hotel. Yet the whole thing is dropped
along with the rest of the girls in the train and two chaperones. What happened there? Why does Marilyn
Monroe need a ukulele if she never plays it and only sings at center stage? If her character is really important
to the band, how come she has a lot of free time, never practices, or is not needed by the band for various
details? Remember that she's a newcomer just like the other two guys.
All in all, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis should be thanked for saving Some Like It Hot.