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Reviews
The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)
Brilliant. Quite simply the most underrated comedy ever.
The Man Who Knew Too Little has everything possible, not least Bill Murray. If you're a fan of Bill Murray this is the best! If you are a fan of British humour especially 1940s through 1960s, you'll love this one. If not you'll want to watch them after this seeing this one. The Man Who Knew Too Little rides the rail between spoofing and actually being part of that genre. A good movie is even better the second and third time, and this one does not fail that test. Bill and Joanne are great, the bonus is everyone else, especially watch for Alfred Molina as Boris!
If you do like the feel of this movie and aren't familiar with the genre then you'll want to watch those old English drama-comedies like The Lavender Hill Mob, 1951,(the same director wrote and directed A Fish Called Wanda.) The Ladykillers, (that's the 1955 version. (Sorry Tom Hanks!)) and the Man In The White Suit were both directed by Alexander Mackendrick, same classic feel. In fact you'll find a gold mine in all those Alec Guinness films! Peter Sellers' Pink Panther series doesn't hurt as well, it fits quite nicely.
For those who like their whiskey and movies humoured over peat then Whiskey Galore A.K.A.Tight Little Island is an early gem.
Il mostro (1994)
One of the funniest by one of the funniest!
Il Mostro by the Italian master, Roberto Benigni, is his funniest among some very funny movies. The earlier comment to watch it in Italian with subtitles is essential. Some of the humour, both spoken and physical slapstick is a little hard at first for North Americans. Once you fall into the Italian sense of humour it will have you on the floor, Roberto Benigni is the twenty first century's Charlie Chaplin. It is optimum for enjoyment if you have lived in Italy, but not required. Go to Italy afterwards! Like Felleni and the Bertolucci brothers, Benigni reflects a lot of what is intrinsically Italian.
Il Mostro is about a mix up, but what comedy is not, it is really about Roberto, the words, the way the words are said, the body gestures and his mastery of playing. You can fall in love with his visual poetry... then learn Italian. I also recommend the unsung, underrated, Son of Pink Panther, it gives a new twist to the Sellers' humour. It's all that Sellers was and more, this is the true successor to the Pink Panther series! If you like the style of Il Mostro then try the earlier Johnny Stecchino, it is classic Benigni as well!