Park Circus are doing what they do best, celebrating classic films. This month their attention has been on films that embody the theme of 'play'.
When we think of ‘playful’ cinematic films, what could be
more playful than two desperate out of work musicians, Joe and Gerald, who
witness a mob killing and got on the run disguised as women. Of course, Billy
Wilder’s classic comedy is much more than the premise. With fun, fast laughs
and jazz, real hot, the fact that Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are dressed as
their counterparts Josephine and Daphne is only the surface.
Men dressing up as women has been a comedic play in many a
film, but what sets this film apart is the details ranging from the stereotypes
such as the perverted old millionaire who sets his sights on Daphne or the
mobsters who hide their weapons in interesting places to the ridiculous,
involving ice being dropped, causing an emergency stop of the train. In fact,
one the most playful elements of the film is when Joe dresses up as a man
again, but this time, he’s an emotionally stunted millionaire, in an attempt to
seduce Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), singer of the all-girl jazz band. It’s strange
to think a man dressed up as a woman but dresses up as a man is the oddest
delight in the film’s narrative.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the film stands the test of time through its comedic timing, performances (especially Lemmon) and heart, whether its broken, beating or bruised. Despite being a film ‘of its time’ it can still be watched through a modern lens with appreciation, because, well, ‘nobody’s perfect’.
For a more in depth look at 'Some Like it Hot' have a read of what I wrote HERE.