The greatest comedy?

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2005)

It is, of course, wonderful. The narrative is impeccable. The acting by all principals is magical. Without being flashy, the mise en scène is precise and clear. The dialogue is crisp and funny. And it has been voted the greatest comedy film of all time...
But is it? Thank you Billy for this wonderful film, but I really don't think it holds a candle to some of the great works of Chaplin or Keaton. It is not as funny as the finest works of the Marx Bros.
No, not the greatest comedy, but perhaps, yes, perhaps the most entertaining comedy of the cinema. It is the kind of film where you inwardly give a little squeal of pleasure as each unlikely twist of the plot falls into place. When Jerry refers to men as 'dirty beasts' it sends a shiver of pleasure down the spine with utter certainty. This is situation comedy that makes 'Friends' look like Mother Courage. The real art in this farce-like structure is to keep all of the complications bubbling along and Wilder & Diamond do this just about perfectly.
So now I feel mean-spirited for not praising this lovely film more fulsomely. It's just that Keaton, and, even more so, Chaplin knew that comedy was serious stuff. Some Like It Hot isn't serious, just seriously and gleefully entertaining.