Today’s quick review: Some Like It Hot. After witnessing a mob hit, unemployed musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Gerald (Jack Lemmon) seize on the first opportunity to get out of town: by posing as women and joining an all-girl band bound for Florida. There they strike up a risky friendship with Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), the band’s gorgeous singer, while trying to keep up the ruse long enough for the heat to die down.
Some Like It Hot is a classic comedy that puts a duo of hapless musicians in a tricky situation. Some Like It Hot delivers chaotic comedy in mid-20th century style. The film follows Joe and Gerald as they try to maintain their disguises in the face of every mishap and temptation. The lies, schemes, and accidents pile on one another, resulting in a light and thoroughly silly romp backed by a strong cast and a clever script.
In spite of its solid fundamentals, Some Like It Hot is something of a mixed bag. Its madcap humor is on par with other movies of the era, but its reliance on awkward situations wears thin after a while. The layers of deceit involved also keep what romance the movie has from carrying much weight, although as comic fare it works just fine. And in spite of a suitably messy lead-up, the ending somehow feels abrupt.
Even with these flaws, Some Like It Hot is an entertaing watch for fans of classic comedy. Its humor is more dependent on taste than other, similar films, but it offers enough in the way of comedy to satisfy even skeptical viewers. For a series with a similar pair of protagonists and a dash of music, check out the Road movies with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. For another Marilyn Monroe comedy, check out Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
8.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a good sense of humor.