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Some
Like It Hot (1959)
 
Review
This
funny but overdone farce has been subjected to credulous criticism from
an almost unanimous jury for nearly half a century, but stands as yet
another document why Marilyn Monroe's premature death probably was the
best thing that could have happened for her career and reputation as an actress. A
lot can be said about her seductive twinkle, but in Some Like It Hot
her one-sided, hollow performance makes the screenplay by Billy Wilder
and Isadore Diamond seem harassed and lacking in depth. Surely, with a
light comedy this is often the case, but Some Like It Hot touches
on so many interesting and controversial themes on its way, that it had
deserved a better execution in its final half. Until then, it is all
joy, as two Chicago musicians, an amusing Curtis and a fantastic Lemmon,
dress up in drag in order to get a life-saving job. The film toys with
conventions and etiquette, and is daring in that respect, but despite
its often clever and punny dialogue, Wilder picks up a self-indulgence
along the way that, needless to say, Marilyn is more than happy to join
in on. Her "love scene" with Curtis is more embarrassing than
erotic, and reveals the pair's joint lack of elegance. And despite
Lemmon's zest, Billy Wilder's over-paced direction cannot save them. With
that said, that final line is still worth waiting for.
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