Hilarious! - The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997) Discussion

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] rizdek 20 years ago

I never tire of watching this movie. This one and Scrooged are my favorite Bill Murray movies.

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They're my favourite Bill Murray films too. TBH he's made so many great films it's not fair to pick just two but this one and "Scrooged" really stand out. I particularly like "The Man Who Knew Too Little" because being British it's great to see the great performances by excellent British actors too.

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[–] tnox 20 years ago

Ok, maybe its a cultural difference or something, but for some reason I love this movie and found it very, very funny. Which is strange because every American I talk to about this movie hates it.

The movie just seems to remind me of One Foot In The Grave, not just because Richard Wilson is in it, but because the jokes are built up through misunderstanding, something that OFITG pulled off perfectly. This movie does it just as well.

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[–] ultrachronic 20 years ago

The Morris dancing bit with Bill Murray near the end was just superb ^_^. I was laughing for ages

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[–] BilligerVogel 19 years ago

"Which is strange because every American I talk to about this movie hates it."

Probably because most Americans seem to like slapstick or have jokes "spoon-fed" to them. I abhor movies/comedians/tv shows that do the joke, explain the joke, then tell you why it's funny. Bleh!
British humor, for the most part, seems to be of the "if you get it, you get it, if not, oh well, move on." ilk.

This was one great little movie. It's not predictable. That gets high marks from me. Great fun to watch it from the perspective of Wally or any of the "spy" characters. Bill's "Wally" character is somewhat reminicent of his character in "What About Bob?".

Found it in a bin of five dollar dvds, looked interesting, and found it quite entertaining. One overlooked little movie. Shame, really...

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] BilligerVogel 17 years ago

Well dull,

Seems you've taken me for a Brit. Guess what. I'm AMERICAN.
Born and raised. Am I critical of my countrymen in this issue? Yes.

What you have to understand is that our entertainment wasn't always the way I described. (spoon-fed)
You went to school here. Did you watch much television? Most of our programs are insipid.

BTW, that wouldn't be 'racist', rather 'nationalist'. :)

Because the world is rushing toward entropy. What's your excuse?

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[–] nicmackey10 12 years ago

I totally agree with that statement and I am american. I love british humor and love this movie. Spoon fed comedy is exactly right, cant stand laugh track bs. Its almost insulting to watch that stuff, its like its saying your too dumb to get the jokes so we will put in this laugh track and over emphasize the joke to where its not really funny anymore.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] browneyedgrl76 18 years ago

Well, I'm an American and I love it! It's so hilarious. My whole family liked it, in fact.

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[–] mathmaniac 13 years ago

I just saw this movie for the first time. 14 years after it was released? It has stood up so well with the passage of time... I laughed my ass off. Hi-lar-i-ous.

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[–] sarah-j-m 14 years ago

Canadians didn't like it too much either. I was the only one in the theatre laughing - but I laughed a lot!

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[–] pajamasandwich 20 years ago

This is one of Bill's movies that never gets the respect it deserves. He is at the top of his game, and it's got some strong performances by the supporting cast as well.... Glad to see that SOME people still have some taste!

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[–] the_singing_french_pea 20 years ago

Yes, this is one of the funniest movies. How it ended is one of my favorite parts.

"Not everything that is popular is right;
not everything that is right is popular"

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[–] Danus52 20 years ago

i agree, most people just don't see how great this movie really is. one of my favorite bill murray movies ever

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[–] peterpen17 20 years ago

im glad SOME PEOPLE know a good movie when they see one. I think that Bill Murray was born to play this role! Its excellent for him! No matter how many times i see it, this movie never gets old! i find myself laughing at the same jokes every time.
P.S, How many people have gotten the deer in headlights look from someone when asking them if they've seen The Man Who knew Too Little? If I had a PENNY for everytime that happens Id be a very wealthy guy!

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[–] wsheit 20 years ago

Yup, I love this one, Groundhog's Day, and Rushmore. The latter in contrast with the others proves just how versatile he can be. I've seen Man Who Knew Too Little atleast 5-6 times, and it's always great. Life Aquatic should be really good!

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[–] runka3 20 years ago

Yes, this movie is brilliant! I saw it several times in just a few days, but GROUNDHOG DAY is even better.

"In heaven everything is fine"

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[–] quickzoom 19 years ago

Yup. I've actually been addicted to this movie. Bill Murray's finest performance in my opinion, at least comedically. I agree that I never get tired of seeing it. I have it on in the background quite often (which I also do with Groundhog Day, and sometimes, Multiplicity.

It has a silliness which almost verges on too silly at times, but how about Peter Gallagher as James Ritchie ("shon dich zu sehen")? Amazing. And all the misunderstandings and perfectly executed coincidences.

There is one small flaw in the film - where Wallace first meets James and his wife at the door there is an unfortunate editing mistake on the line "I work for Blockbuster in Des Moines, Barbara. There is a small overlapping of Bill Murray's mouth being closed, whearas the audio would require his mouth to be opening. A small detail, and one that I actually have learned to enjoy. But otherwise, I think it's flawless.

The music is amazing in the movie, and the scene with the Burberry wearing Japanese Tourists kills me every time.

This movie is probably one of my favorites of all time in any category.

Groundhog Day is also a truly great one, and being all too aware of the irony, I have seen this one probably almost 300 times. I kid you not. Many times I'll have it on a loop playing in the background.

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[–] bonorye 18 years ago

Ahem...Actually, I just finished watching this movie for the first time. And to quote me, "The WORST Bill Murray Movie I've ever seen!". Absolute crap.

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[–] maartenrdijkstra 18 years ago

Re: Seen it 200 times
by - bonorye on Sun Jan 8 2006 22:04:08 Ahem...Actually, I just finished watching this movie for the first time. And to quote me, "The WORST Bill Murray Movie I've ever seen!". Absolute crap. "

I found the movie hilarious, but you have to be in the mood tho.

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[–] themanwithnomoney 18 years ago

I found it was great and really funny

Daniel Craig Is James Bond!!!
Tom Jane is The Punisher!!!

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[–] drebin73 18 years ago

It is one of the best bill murray movies. What about Bob is next on my list.

We are the musicmakers and we are the dreamers of dreams>Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory

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[–] spindle_web 18 years ago

bonorye, would you care to elaborate on why?

I loved this movie, the way he keeps gowing through the most dangerous situations in his stupid ignorance, still thinking he was just acting. Also, it was so funny how everyone thought he was a spy god of some sort.

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[–] Lothe 18 years ago

Loved it when i saw it in theaters, and i still do.

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[–] Rabbit-Reviews 12 years ago

Yeah, every now and then, I put them together (What about Bob first and then The man) and they crack me up every time...

Only movies that are worth watching: http://www.rabbit-reviews.com?

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[–] LlllPppp 9 years ago

Ha! You crack me up, bonorye!! Lol; so you immediately rushed onto this film's IMDB site to prove your hatred for it!!! Now, that's hilarious!!!! Pure comedy gold...

I can't watch "The Man Who Knew Too Little" [or "Groundhog Day", or any BM comedy film, for that matter] without busting a gut [one of my many flaws, I'm afraid], so please take my opinion with the proverbial "grain of salt"...

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[–] Data1 18 years ago

Great film. I saw it for the first time last night, and could not stop laughing! One of those gems that doesn't get the credit it deserves.

"The man who knew too little" rules!

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[–] jconde 18 years ago

This may be my favorite Bill Murray movie. From the very beginning with the passport scene (my brother, James Ritchie, Do you know him?) All the way to the weird but cool end on the beach (You're my great big cat). I also love Groundhog Day and What About Bob, but this is just so quirky it rocked.

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[–] jazzerty 18 years ago

I wouldn't say I would like to watch ten times, but it's certainly a top comedy.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] LlllPppp 9 years ago

+1 !

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[–] WeponX 17 years ago

Agreed. Extremely funny, entertaning, and full of laghs right until the end. It's a great piece of comedey.

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[–] Pickleheadrules 17 years ago

i LOVE this movie. and yeah, you never get tired of it. one of my all-time favorite movies.

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[–] Extinctive 17 years ago

Agree wholeheartedly, this is VERY funny. Bill indeed plays that 'being the naive yank beating the brits by mistake' perfectly. I like the thin line between acting and acting within the acting part. Double double-agent material. ;-)

Next to Ground Hog Day and Lost In Translation I think this is in the top 5 of his best work ever!

--
I'm holding an 'I Don't Give A Sh*t'-o-meter and the needle's not moving. - D. Coupland

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[–] TheOliveBranch 17 years ago

well we're all actors....in the theatre of life...

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[–] jakam 17 years ago

Bill is his typical obtuse self and it is sooo good!

Oh, yeah, I'm American, too, and although not a fan of British humor in general, I get it when it's funny, it doesn't have to be spoon fed to me.
But this it seems neither US or UK humor, it is funny and timeless and defies categorization.

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[–] darkling27 17 years ago

Wow, I thought I was the only one who watched this film over and over again. Definitely one of my favourite Bill Muray movies, right behind Groundhog Day. Glad to know I'm not alone.

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[–] DaytonaBob 17 years ago

Okay, this was pretty good the more I got into it. The part when Bill says, "Laurie wants her letters back" and the men realize (or think they realize)this is the world's best spy/assassin and scaring the hell out of them was just hilarious.

BUT when the beach scene unfolds, it's just plain hilarious.

They who give up liberty to
obtain a temporary safety deserve
neither liberty or safety

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[–] ronismonis 17 years ago

This movie is my favorite comedy. EVAR

They calls me KGSoloMan5000..

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[–] GreenGoblinsOckVenom86 16 years ago

I liked this but my all time favorite Bill Murray movie is Ghostbusters.

"Ray the Sponges migrated about a foot and a half." Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters 1

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[–] prettybutterflies 16 years ago

I also thought this movie was extremely funny! I love Bill Murray and think he one of the funniest actors even though he doesn't have to "try" as hard as some other comediens.

Dorothy: Ah, you're first kiss was in the rain?
Blanche: No it was in the shower.

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