I have watched this movie several times only for Sophia Loren, who I can never get enough of. In any other respect, this movie can only be watched for the unintentional laughs. Horrid, truly horrid dialog and absurd plot. Pure camp only. And possibly the single most idiotic closing scene ever.
And leave it to Christian Dior to keep a beauty like Sophia hidden in billowing and ugly dresses.
Thank god for the shower scene, anyway.
Having just seen it for the first time, I can't think of ANY reason to watch it again. Even if you're into Sophia, you're right she's dressed in tents most of the time. And it's really hard to watch Gregory trying to play the Cary Grant part, no not from Charade but from Bringing Up Baby! Donen's many visual gimmicks lose appeal quickly, but he insists on repeating them.
So sad that when they went back to the Charade well, this is what they pulled up.
I just turned off my brain and managed to enjoy the whole 'campness' of it all. I think it is technically well executed, innovatingly photographed (albeit a bit flashy) and features an excellent score from Henry Mancini.
shareI recently bought this on dvd as I'm a big fan of this type of 60s movie, Charade being a particular favourite, and remember seeing Arabesque as a child. Unformatunately, even armed with a few beers, I found this now literally unwatchable, with Gregory Peck simply toe-curlingly bad in the Cary Grant role.
Btw, I may be a semi-literate buffoon, but I do know how to spell 'unfortunately'.
shareI saw tis film as a child and was always afraid of doctors, of letting people put something in my eye...
Yesterday I watched the film again. I think it was kind of funny. Dont be so hard on them.
True. It's Charade, except that Arabesque isn't nearly as good. Gregory Peck is miscast and is trying terribly hard to be funny, but it doesn't come off well (bless his heart, he tried his best).
I still may have bought the absurd plot if the male lead was different. It's said that Cary Grant was offered the role, but turned it down. As you say, one can never watch enough of Sophia Loren. Unfortunately, Arabesque is a bit of a let down.
"Sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand."
ANOTHER YOUNG-UN WHO IS CLUELESS ABOUT GREAT MOVIEMAKING.
sharePerhaps your a guy watching alone by saying that. It was a summer date movie and best to watch with a date. I watched it with my wife and teen daughter and both really enjoyed it and I did also as long as I was watching it with them. Lighthearted action stuff with some eye candy (needed more though).
shareWatched for 1st time last night on tv, didn't think I was going to like Peck w/Loren. But gave it some time & they kept it light & silly. Was a little disappointed in the normally wonderful Mancini score, kind of dreary. Sophia's makeup was beautiful, loved her knee-hi, white patent leather boots! Instead of Cary (who was in love w/Loren from an earlier film) how about sexy Paul Newman as leading man & put Peck in Torn Curtin w/Julie Andrews!?
shareI was thinking "Torn Curtain" as well when I watched this, but that's because I think that is a much better film with genuine intrigue. But I agree that Paul Newman might be better than Gregory Peck here.
This is decent escapist entertainment, but I found it rather bland. In hindsight, the era of U.S.-Middle East relations portrayed here looks pretty good, doesn't it? Anyway, it's a solid 6/10 from me, no more.
"I agree that Paul Newman might be better than Gregory Peck here".
On the other hand, he´s also capable of being every bit as awful at playing it silly - see his mugging in The Prize.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
Yeah, it plays like bad Bond movie in the 60´s mod drag; what a silly, nonsensical piece of business with all the goofy humor and second hand plot devices. Also, was the earnest, heroic ol´ Gregory Peck ever more badly miscast than here? The trivia page says the role was written for Cary Grant and boy was it obvious throughout - much doubt though if even he with his breezy charm and face pulling could have made the film worthwhile (Peck was just about on the edge of his abilities in a similar role the year before in Mirage, which just managed to stay on a more serious note. However, he rather effectively subverted his image later in Frankenheimer´s I Walk The Line that turned his square-jawed straight-arrow machismo into a picture of a deluded, miserable loser). Hard to recommend this ridiculous number one for anything - not even particularly fond of Miss Loren.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
just watched it on TV because I am a fan of Stanley Donan (especially Charade, Singin' in the Rain and 7 Brides for 7 Brothers). I thought it was decent. I agree with the consensus that Gregory Peck was seriously miscast. The man was a great talent, unbelievably handsome but he's not good at this madcap goofy thriller. Sophia Loren is terrific, very beautiful and I like her character a lot. Script was interesting, definitely unpredictable. It might have been a little dumb and some of the scenes were really unnecessary (like the extended drugged out by the road scene I mean come on!) But I enjoyed, don't really want to watch it again though
"It's hard for me to watch American Idol because I have perfect pitch."
-Jenna, 30 Rock
I guess I don't know much about movie making. Why this got 3 1/2 stars, I'll never know. I kept waiting for it to be anything but ridiculous.
share"Charade" was defintive much better. Better dialogues and better story.
shareYou're right. It was in fact intended to be "watched for laughs."
Thanks for pointing it out.
I first saw this film when I was 10 - thought Sophia Loren was about the loveliest woman I'd ever seen....I'd have watched her in pretty much anything...
To be honest, I prefer this to "Charade," which I find overrated.(Donen did better by Audrey in "Two for the Road.")
share