"Well, nobody's perfect!"

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2017)

SOME LIKE IT HOT is a tasteful blend between a hilarious comedy, an unconvincing romance, and a parody of crime. The story is very simple, with some universal themes. It is interesting to see so many different characters, which complement each other, in one film.
Two friends and musicians flee from Chicago, because they have witnessed a massacre. They are persecuted by dangerous gangsters. The only salvation for the two of them is a female music group, that is traveling by train to Florida. They disguise themselves as women and join the band. However, it is not easy to be a man, who is disguised as a woman...
Mr. Wilder has managed to spin a good joke at the expense of American girls' lust, madness in high society and parodies on crime, which have marked the thirties of the last century in America. There are not many films which develop nice and pleasant romance from a little nasty joke. A funny disguise, caricature of mafia, naive rich men and silly blondes offer good fun, but do not guarantee a good movie.
The protagonists are, what is almost incredible, very complex characters, which are torn between crucial issues of life, mentality and lifestyle. They, through a hilarious adventure, are rushing toward a trivial goal. The essence is in a series of meaningless and futile attempts, which were aided by the opportunism and escapism.
Black and white technique is a big hit in this case. Scenery exudes with a certain charm. Makeup and costumes are not too showy. The soundtrack is very good.
Marilyn Monroe as Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk is a ukulele player and singer. She is a very simple character who has complex problems, which involve an escape from a saxophonist and hunt for a young and helpless millionaire. Ms. Monroe, besides deliberately infantile voice and enchanting stature, has showed, for the umpteenth time, a talent for comedy. Tony Curtis as Joe/"Josephine"/"Shell Oil Junior" is a poor saxophone player. He is a serious and somewhat calculating character. His vocal imitation of a big movie star is more than interesting. He is everything that Sugar wants and all that which she escapes.
Jack Lemmon as Jerry (Gerald)/"Daphne", is a double bass player. He's a bit silly character, who wants to escape from reality at all costs. Each new opportunity or possibility, like a boomerang, returs him to the uncertainty. His support is Joe E. Brown (Osgood Fielding III) as an old and perverted millionaire.
Frequent crafts, through hilarious scenes of escape, midnight tango, or an excellent punchline at the end of the film, bring a tremendous amount of laughter and fun.