Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

I've watched this movie 5 times and each time I find another slew of great jokes, subtle sight gags or unexpected comedic high points. Never mind Dudley Moore, the real stars of this movie are Richard Griffiths, who last year took home an Oscar and Tony for his wildly hilarious and touching performance in History Boys, and his co-star, Penelope Wilton who plays the incredible Patricia in this movie. She manages to be guileless, disarming, charming and willful in the same scene. (Wilton also won a Tony for History Boys, was nominated for an Oscar, but lost out.) Not to mention Bryan Brown who is marvelous as the conflicted hit-man who secretly longs for a quiet corner and a florists' shop in which to retire. Who knew, after two F/X films, that he was so great at comedy. The main stars and head writer are comedy veterans from the Monty Python-precursor, Beyond the Fringe, and their adeptness with comedy really shows. This movie has everything: A great plot worthy of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, or Tom Stoppard at his funniest (Think The Real Inspector Hound, or Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead.) If you like your comedy literate, with beautiful scenery, subtlety, a little dark humor around the edges, and a surprise ending, you will love this movie. The entire case of multiple mistaken identity is based on Bronson Pinchot's riotous inability (in his best acting job ever) to pronounce the English "H". The result spins out in an unpretentious and delightful romp around beauteous locations in Venice, with marvelous comedic touches. These include a mob hit man who delights in taking Polaroids of his victims in ever more distressing situations and sordid death scenes. The torture of Dudley Moore reminded me of the best plays of the Irishman, Martin McDonagh. Think the Lieutenant of Inishmore, and substitute a Venetian villa for the cat. It's here, it's gone, it's falling apart, no it's back again. You wonder, throughout the second half of the movie, how the good guys will extricate themselves with all limbs intact, and how the evil doers will be punished. They are, and they do, all with several surprising twists that keep you guessing until the end. But you have to pay attention to appreciate everything else that is going on. (Look for the wonderful gags about Euruopean hotel cable TV, and the rhinoceroses at play.) Literate viewers who like witty repartee tossed off the way the Brits do it best, you will love this movie. Guaranteed.

Three men; Orton, Horton and Lawton find themselves in unorthodox situations due to the misunderstanding of a bellboy.This farcical comedy is right on the mark. Clever misunderstandings arise and they're all well played out, with a willing cast who aim to please. Dudley Moore is especially appealing here in one of his last screen roles. Bronson Pinchot is also a riot as the world's worst bellboy.The script is tight, I felt it could have been even longer, some plot holes but who cares? It's very funny all the way. Using beautiful scenery from lovely Venice, the film gets even more of an appeal. I can't see how one can dislike a film like this.

Why did this receive such a low rating? This is a delightfully funny farce that had me on the floor. It's so hilarious! It goes through with its intention of being a fast-paced, old-fashioned farce mixed with the good ol' comedy of errors. The cast is superb. I only wish Dudley Moore could've been given a funnier part - this is definitely one of his more thankless roles. Unfortunately, this was one of his last roles, if not the last. But he was still an incredible comic actor and he will surely be missed. Richard Griffiths, who I remember as the cripple in "Naked Gun 2 1/2," is extremely funny. Bryan Brown plays it straight as a bewildered hitman, and does a fantastic job. I also liked that woman who played his eventual love interest - she has some very funny scenes. And man-oh-man is Patsy Kensit a hottie or what?!!!The script is contrived and most of the gags are forced, but I give the writer/director an "E" for effort. It's hard to pull off a wacky farce like this with great precision. It was done excellently in "Ruthless People," but not every farce can be like "Ruthless People." I said it before and I'll say it again, the sense of humor don't lie. If I'm roaring with laughter, obviously the film did its job. And I was roaring all right! My score: 7 (out of 10)

Low rent comedy, but still offered a few laughs. Pinchot seems to be typecast in this sort of role as the stupid, confused foreigner. The chief of the thugs is also another guy we see playing the insane killer a lot, but both players do their jobs well. Overall, I liked this one, it was better than I expected and offered some nice shots of Venice.