Some like it hot indeed

Rating: 9/10 (14 March 2013)

Some Like it Hot is a screwball comedy about two musicians somehow getting mixed up with a Chicago crime syndicate and their attempt to run away from them. They end up disguising themselves as girls in order to land a gig with an all girl band in Florida. Along the way, they meet an attractive, innocent girl, who has a tendency to fall for sax players, and attempt to charm her. Things get when complicated when the syndicate arrives in Florida for some other event and paths of the musicians and the gang cross again.
Tony Curtis as the ever-optimistic Joe and Jack Lemmon as the frank and jocular Jerry were both delightful in their portrayals. Their on-screen chemistry constitutes the heart of the movie as they land themselves in awkward situations and wriggle their way out with the help of some cunning and fortune. Marilyn Monroe as the dim and naive Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, is the central character around which the plot rotates. It is almost impossible not to fall for her as she is ever so attractive and yet so innocent in character. There are times when one forgets about the movie and is enchanted by her presence on screen, her singing at the band's performance and the scene on the yacht being two of them. Joe E Brown as Osgood, puts in a hearty performance as the love seeking rich oldie who would go to any lengths to win Daphne's heart. He provides the fitting end to the movie with the iconic "Nobody's Perfect".
The on screen camaraderie between Joe and Jerry, as they bicker along the way and yet never leave each other in times of trouble, is what makes this movie special. Joe as an esoteric millionaire who has a 'problem', Osgood has the doting lover infatuated with Daphne, and Daphne as the light hearted and carefree maiden who finds herself in perplexing situations , are three characters that give life to this brisk paced comedy. The most hilarious scene though has to be the post dates scene where Jerry's incredible contemplation of a love affair and future life with Osgood is discussed, leaving the audience in fits of laughter.
Overall, Billy Wilder's Some Like it Hot is a wonderful comedy that has all the ingredients for an all time classic.