This is one of the darker comedies I've seen in a long time and I really liked its wicked sense of humor. The film begins with several people committing suicide or at least attempting it. You have absolutely no idea why this is happening--it's like an epidemic! However, whatever the causes, they are awfully funny and never has suicide seemed so full of laughs. It later turns out that the reason for all this mayhem is because a horrid man is blackmailing people. In fact, the guy has a huge file on lots of people, though the film centers on four of them--four who are so desperate to keep their "naughty business" private that they contemplate taking extreme action.
Most of the movie consists of three of these four victims deciding that the best possible course of action is to kill the blackmailer because if they don't pay him off, he promises to publish a tell-all magazine detailing their peccadilloes. Seeing these folks planning and repeatedly botching the murder is pretty funny...and very, very dark.
Ultimately, however, the murder plans are scrubbed, as the blackmailer is caught by the police. But, what if he spills the beans? What can they do to stop this man from talking?! This all leads to an immensely clever final portion of the film when over 300 blackmail victims all work together to end this nonsense once and for all! The final scene is particularly enjoyable, though the gunshot at the very end was unnecessary and even a bit dumb.
In this film, there are many nice performances, though the one that stands out the most is Peter Sellers. He plays a TV star who changes costumes and personalities constantly as part of his job...as well as the plot to stop the blackmailer. In many ways, it's like a precursor to DR. STRANGELOVE--giving Sellers ample opportunity to try out his many accents and impersonations.
Overall, a very funny and clever comedy that is so good because it's so different.
Most of the movie consists of three of these four victims deciding that the best possible course of action is to kill the blackmailer because if they don't pay him off, he promises to publish a tell-all magazine detailing their peccadilloes. Seeing these folks planning and repeatedly botching the murder is pretty funny...and very, very dark.
Ultimately, however, the murder plans are scrubbed, as the blackmailer is caught by the police. But, what if he spills the beans? What can they do to stop this man from talking?! This all leads to an immensely clever final portion of the film when over 300 blackmail victims all work together to end this nonsense once and for all! The final scene is particularly enjoyable, though the gunshot at the very end was unnecessary and even a bit dumb.
In this film, there are many nice performances, though the one that stands out the most is Peter Sellers. He plays a TV star who changes costumes and personalities constantly as part of his job...as well as the plot to stop the blackmailer. In many ways, it's like a precursor to DR. STRANGELOVE--giving Sellers ample opportunity to try out his many accents and impersonations.
Overall, a very funny and clever comedy that is so good because it's so different.