Today’s quick review: How to Murder Your Wife. Stanley Ford (Jack Lemmon), a successful cartoonist, has his blissful bachelorhood interrupted when he drunkenly marries an Italian model (Virna Lisi). Chafing in married life, he vents his frustrations by having his cartoon hero murder his fictitious wife. But when the real Mrs. Ford goes missing, Stanley is blamed for a murder he planned but did not commit.
How to Murder Your Wife is a comedy about the joys and torments of marriage. How to Murder Your Wife features madcap writing, a consistently light tone, and a colorful cast of characters. The movie takes playful aim at the institution of marriage and its effect on a man’s lifestyle. But for all its barbs, it never loses its sense of irony or its appreciation for genuine love.
Much of the movie’s charm comes from its excellent cast. Jack Lemmon cuts a sympathetic figure as Stanley Ford, a plain man attached to the perks of the single life. Virna Lisi presents a difficult challenge for him: a gorgeous, caring woman who can’t help but cause unwelcome changes in his life. Terry-Thomas rounds out the cast as Stanley’s butler Charles, the film’s refined narrator and a critic of the new Mrs. Ford.
How to Murder Your Wife does have a few points against it. The plot, though clever enough, is insubstantial, and its setup, though enjoyable, takes most of the movie. Enough of the humor revolves around marriage that anyone not sold on the premise will have little to entertain them. How to Murder Your Wife is also a comedy in the classic tradition; those used to the brasher style of modern comedies may find it tame by comparison.
Watch How to Murder Your Wife when you are in the mood for a pleasant experience with well-written humor and a talented cast. Fans of classic comedy will find How to Murder Your Wife to be an enjoyable hidden gem. Skip it if you are looking for something raucous, substantial, or more overtly romantic. For a comedy with similar sensibilities, check out Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a creative premise and a charming sense of humor.