MovieChat Forums > Some Like It Hot (1959) Discussion > Perhaps someone can explain to me...

Perhaps someone can explain to me...

posted 12 years ago by salesgab
34 replies | jump to latest

Why is this film in the first position of AFI's 100 years... 100 laughs list? I am sorry if this was discussed before, but I just found that out and, after seeing the movie, I am not sure it was deserved.

I don't mean it is a bad movie. In my opinion, it's an ok movie, with some funny scenes. Marilyn Monroe is very beautiful, of course, perhaps the most charismatic actress that ever lived, but none of the performances were really outstanding. The plot, I think, isn't really outstanding either, and I expected more from Billy Wilder, who I think was a great filmmaker.

All in all, I found it ok, nothing special, and I really don't see how it can be praised as the best comedy of all time. I would much rather spending my time watching something by Woody Allen (Zelig is my favorite comedy) or Monty Python. I simply don't get why it is so praised. Someone please explain.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] mam13143 10 years ago

Saw this when first released in a jammed movie theater and the audience laughed more than any one I ever experienced. Remember for 1959 this was something they hadn't seen, and all the actors were great. Black and white film was still an ok medium cause tv was still showing a lot of b&w. Lemmon was the real star but they all excelled. And the story and direction also excel. Have never seen a comedy funnier but not to say there aren't a lot of other good ones over the years.

Remember this type of comedy had not been seen before and was so revolutionary it was banned in some states and condemned by the Catholic Church. Hard to imagine now. In fact, imagine Adam Sandler doing this film. Sex, nudity, toilet humor and soft core porn would abound (see his latest, the Do Over, for reference). Anyone seeing it today for the first time cannot truly appreciate the impact it originally had. TV shows today have more sex and bad language than this film does.

Lots of other great comedies out there, but few of them made today.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] MicahFish 10 years ago

Simply because it was ground breaking for it's time. It's been borrowed, and rehashed so many times by now that the comedy may not seem even seem original anymore, but it was in this film. Even despite that, though, nothing like this had been done before.

[–] crlnrgbrght5 10 years ago

Matter of taste I guess. I myself found it very funny, especially Lemmon. The Op stated that they prefer Woody Allen comedies and Monty Python, but Allen never made me laugh, and I prefer John Cleese in "Fawlty Towers".

[–] PerfectPoison2 10 years ago

I was born in 1957 and this is my all time-all my life favorite movie--since I was 11 years old.

[–] mrgogonyc 10 years ago

I think a cofactor in our OP's reaction to "SLIH" is expectations. You hear repeatedly how fine, wonderful and hilarious a film is and you sit to watch (may I guess by himself?) and say "Huh?"

The only way we are disappointed in this life is when we have expectations.

This film is in my top 5 comedy favorites. I say "favorite" so that I don't get in big debates about "best" comedy. "Tootsie" is my fave, followed by "His Girl Friday". I'd put "SLIH" around 3rd with "Female Trouble" right after. "Libeled Lady" is up there. "MP and the Holy Grail certainly rules.

"Valley of the Dolls" and "Cobra Woman" stand on their own as hilarious. That certainly wasn't their intention, but few are funnier.

"If it is not in the frame, it does not exist!"

[–] IMDB_Vits 9 years ago

The Monty Python movies were from the UK, so they couldn't be on the list.

[–] pauline_evans 9 years ago

It's really all a matter of personal taste isn't it. Speaking for myself I liked "Some Like It Hot" well enough, the bit I liked best was the end when Joe. E. Brown finds out that the woman he's proposed to is really a man and says "Nobody's perfect", but I wouldn't say it was THAT funny either, definitely not the funniest film ever. On the other hand, I'd rather poke myself in the eye with a stick than watch either Woody Allen or Monty Python. As I said, it's a matter of taste and we can't all like the same things.

[–] fanaticita 8 years ago

Some Like It Hot is one of my favorite films of all time. I've seen it at least 10 times, and whenever I feel like I need a good laugh, I watch it again. It has everything. . . silliness, great acting and great actors, hilarious plot, sensuality, fun costumes, etc. It's one of the best