Today’s quick review: Modesty Blaise. When Gabriel (Dirk Bogarde), a criminal mastermind long thought dead, targets a shipment of British diamonds, Sir Gerald Terrant (Harry Andrews) calls in Modesty Blaise (Monica Vitti), a renowned thief and adventurer, to protect them. With her roguish accomplice Willie Garvin (Terence Stamp) in tow, Modesty searches for Gabriel and hatches a plan to steal the diamonds for herself.
Modesty Blaise is a spy adventure comedy based on the comic strip of the same name. Modesty Blaise aims to be a light romp with an enticing mixture of humor, action, and intrigue. But although the movie has plenty of quirky charm, it does not hang together well. Jumbled storytelling, tangled character motivations, weak choreography, and a general lack of grounding all keep Modesty Blaise from being the simple fun it’s meant to be.
Modesty Blaise’s main issue is that it has too much going on. Modesty’s eccentric personality, her colorful past, her contacts around the globe, and her gadgets and tricks are already plenty to keep track of; once the supporting cast gets involved, it all becomes overwhelming. The film does a poor job of orienting the viewer. Even the film’s most clever ideas tend to miss the mark simply because the viewer hasn’t been prepared for them.
Modesty Blaise will still hold some appeal for the right viewer. Its light tone, 60s style, and bevy of charming ideas are all rare qualities. But the film has enough problems with the way it presents its material that casual viewers will find it to be a rough watch. Most viewers would be better off looking elsewhere.
For an animated adventure that captures the same spirit but with more artistry, try The Castle of Cagliostro or The Advntures of Tintin. For an even more stylized adaptation, try The Avengers, Dick Tracy, or The Spirit. For a similarly campy adventure with more character, try Hudson Hawk or Charlie’s Angels. For a spy comedy with similar flaws, try Hammerhead.
5.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a spirited but badly flawed adventure.