Some Like It Hot

Some Comedies Will Never Stop Being Funny

Director: Billy Wilder
Release Date: 1959
Rating: PG
Running Time: 120 mins
Genre: Comedy
Actors: Jack Lemon, Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe

"Water Polo? That sounds dangerous!" - "I'll say, I had two ponies drown under me."

Now here's a film that will never age. Men being women, will that ever get boring? Probably not if Some Like It Hot is anything to go by.

Three legends of Hollywood combine together to make this seemingly gangster movie turn into one of the most hilarious comedy of the 1950's. We meet two struggling male musicians Jerry & Joe (Jack Lemon & Tony Curtis) desperate for money and having just witnessed a murder, the two are forced to go on the run after being chased by criminals. There only hope of survival...join an all female band headed to Florida, slight hitch from the two fugitives, there may be a slight problem, so consequently the only thing that can help them are two rather hilarious costumes and a pair of bad wigs transforming them into Josephine (Joe) and Daphne (because Jerry wasn't a big lover of Geraldine).

Some Like It Hot is one of those films that is just funny throughout as a result of it's irony, wit and also a rather poor yet highly entertaining Cary Grant impression from Tony Curtis as he does his best to woo the bands  very beautiful yet slightly dim singer and ukulele player Sugar Kane Kowalczyk (Marilyn Monroe). There's a certain irony to Some Like It Hot that other films just wouldn't have, such as one line from Sugar Kane 'That'll put hair on your chest!' followed by a subtle and amused look from Jack Lemon followed by his response 'No fair guessing'. 

However, it wouldn't be fair to say that this completely comes down to the script alone, the acting as well creates the two to compliment each other so well. The chemistry between the three characters is fantasticly entertaining and so effective. Marilyn Monroe has a certain style of acting, playing up to the reputation of a rather simple yet beautiful blonde girl, (despite having one of the highest IQ's of any Hollywood star) but the role goes deeper than that and it definitely needed a certain personality to make it just right. But there's no denying Monroe fitted into the character so perfectly, it would be hard not to  fall in love with her by the time the film is over. An actress recognised worldwide even today, it's worth seeing what Marilyn Monroe is actually capable of because she has actually proved to be hilariously funny as well as just a pretty face.

This comedy, like any Wilder film has managed to stand the test of time and still works as a relevant and highly entertaining comedy that anyone can appreciate. It's more than just any old comedy, as there is still nothing quite like it out there managing to find the perfect balance of romance, comedy and action.

If you're not a fan of old films then I'd say check this one out, because it may just change your mind.

9/10