One Of The Most Delightfully Entertaining Films Ever Made; "Some Like It Hot" Remains The Definitive Screwball Comedy

Rating: 8/10 (4 April 2007)

Throughout cinema history there have been many historic comedians, all varying in style and range. From the likes of Chaplin and Keaton to the Pythons and the Coens and to directors like Billy Wilder. Wilder is a man who never failed to create the perfect slice of entertainment, as he once said "movies should be like amusement parks". Although, Some Like It Hot is a flawed film and not on the same level as Wilder's true cinematic masterpieces it still remains a highly accomplished work of entertainment. And there are no wonders as to why it was ranked no.1 on AFI's "Funniest Movies of All-Time"; it truly is a spectacle in the art of comedy.
Some Like it Hot contains one of the most simple, yet wonderfully unique premises of all-time. Set during the prohibition Some Like It Hot follows the mishaps of two male musicians who are looking for a job, while being caught up with the mob. Unable to find work they opt in to play for a female band and so have to cross-dress to gain "discreet" access to the band. Surprisingly both fit in with the group and quickly befriend Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), a friendship that soon develops into them both falling for her...
The idea of Some Like It Hot is incredibly outlandish and extraordinarily outrageous. The film's complex was a long way ahead of its time and one that was risqué and daring on release due to the supposed "homosexuality" portrayed in the film. Today, the film remains one of the triumphant examples of comedy, ultimately being a satire on '20s America portrayed through slyly hysterical humour. The film shows off the talents of Wilder and the array of talent he has cast on the film. The rampant script propels the film at extraordinarily fast pace and uses subtle metaphysical language to portray half-disguised sexual-innuendo. The sexual-innuendo remains one of the film's highlights due to the way it is incorporated into the script through fast wit, raunchiness and "flashy" language. To simply imply the script is "good" is an understatement; the script's craftsmanship is beyond the realm of genius and is so goofy, screwy and intelligent that it is impossible to deny the brilliance.
Some Like It Hot is a film I can watch anytime, due to the amount of material and level of enjoyment on offer, it is a film bursting with charisma and charm. Actors Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are two of the finest American actors to ever grace cinema, their partnership created through the fantastic chemistry is inseparable. It is an example of pure character acting at the top of its game. Jack Lemmon (as with most of the films he starred in) steals the show with his wildly energetic, charismatic and "fitting the role" performance. Jack Lemmon's persona is so uplifting, consistently succeeding in being the actor's actor. Then you have the hysterical Tony Curtis who brings bold hilarity and fierce energy to the screen, an actor who always feels suitably cast. Marilyn Monroe on the other hand is an actress I have always felt to be untalented at "acting", yet skilled at working with spontaneous comedy and probably due to her own infamous personality. Although not a good actress, she is still cast with accuracy and slides into her role as Sugar with ease because of her own similarities to the character. She also adds another element of iconic value to the film.
Although there is nothing much below the surface of Some Like It Hot that does not stop it from being an intellectual illustration of class A comedy. For a film so eccentric it is honestly amazing at how remarkably efficient the film is at succeeding in offering mass-appeal. Some Like It Hot is full of dry sexual tendencies, symbolic sexual imagery (yes, not only hidden in the script, but subtly shown throughout the film) and the indisputable class the film carries. The use of simple set-pieces helps rotate the comedy, offering impulsive comedic actions and a countless array of jokes.
The film's notorious line "well, nobody's perfect" goes for the film too. Although not as perfect as Wilder's "league of their own" masterpieces (Sunset Blvd., The Apartment, Double Indemnity, Stalag 17) that still does not stop it from being a gem of cinematic joy. Wilder is one of the few directors who truly deserves his legendary directional and screen writing acclaim, it is beyond fact that Wilder had a genuine aptitude for cinema. Some Like It Hot is an example of Wilder's fantastic versatility and his trademark of dealing with warped identities.