As a Hitchcock fan, I thought I had an idea of what to expect from this, but it turned out to be surprisingly different to the master of suspense's usual feel. This is close to an all out comedy and although it's not always funny, it is quaintly charming and pleasing overall. It took me a little while to get used to the tone of the film and it's very broad, rounded humour, but I relaxed into it and enjoyed it.
A dead body is found and over the first hour, three people each take responsibility. There is also an innocent aspiring artist who is trying to sell his paintings (Eben Adams-esque) who becomes involved entirely by chance. The death proves to be a bonding experience for the four. It is a good looking film, some of the natural scenery shots were not entirely unlike the legendary natural beauty of Barry Lyndon, about as good as it gets.
There are a couple of good giggles (the Corpse is in and out of the ground like a fairground whack-a-mole and as the four are talking, a cupboard door randomly opens twice which gets all thier attention - this is a great gag, the best of the film) and a pleasing final, culminating long scene when strands come together and the plan is nearly revealed, but some of the jokes just don't work. They seem like they may have been funny on paper but ultimately don't translate well onto the screen, or perhaps, unfortunately, were poorly performed.
In truth I think it's a style of gentle, subdued comedic caper that has long been outdated, and was probably becoming outdated even when this was made. There are lots of great comedies from this era that have proven to be timeless, including The Ladykillers, Some like it Hot and The Lavender Hill Mob. These and many others are comic but edgily so, they have some darkness and drama to offset the comic tone, and that is partly the 'trouble with Harry', the tone. I found it all a bit too soft and easy to be a genuine great film. So I liked it, and if you're in the right mood it may be ideal viewing, but I didn't love it.
Comments