Number 210 on IMDb's Top 250
Milo Tindle (Michael Caine) and Andrew Wyke (Sir Laurence Olivier) have something in common, Andrew's wife (Eve Channing). In an attempt to find a way out of this without costing Andrew a fortune in alimony, he suggests Milo pretend to rob his house and let him claim the insurance on the stolen jewelry. The problem is that they don't really like each other and each cannot avoid the zinger on the other. And when Inspector Doppler (Alec Cawthorne) arrives hilarity ensues. The plot has many shifts in which the advantage shifts between Milo and Andrew.
Trivia: The Edgar Allan Poe award on Andrew Wyke's mantel is actually the one given to Anthony Shaffer for his play "Sleuth". Joseph L. Mankiewicz also won an Edgar for the movie Five Fingers. Michael Caine was so very much beside himself to be working with Laurence Olivier, that he didn't even know how to address him. Eventually, he broke down and just asked. Olivier replied, "Well I am the Lord Olivier and you are Mr Michael Caine. Of course that's only for the first time you address me. After that I am Larry and you are Mike." One of only two films for which the entire cast was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar (the other was Give 'em Hell, Harry! (1975)).
I really can't say much about this film without being spoilerific. Like Mystic River, this movie has two actors that were nominated for Oscars (Marlon Brando won for The Godfather). Both Caine and Olivier were great in this movie and it was very enjoyable. If you really like twists, watch this movie.
Next Up: Trainspotting
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment