Today’s quick review: Once Upon a Crime. Julian (Richard Lewis) and Phoebe (Sean Young), two Americans living in Europe, end up on the lam when they stumble on a murdered body in Monte Carlo. Meanwhile, Neil (Jim Belushi) and Marilyn (Cybill Shepherd), an American couple, get involved with Augie Morosco (John Candy), a compulsive gambler, making them the other suspects in Inspector Bonnard’s (Giancarlo Giannini) investigation of the murder.
Once Upon a Crime is a crime comedy about five Americans who are wrongfully accused of murdering a wealthy old woman in Monte Carlo. Through a series of accidents, the Americans end up as prime suspects, and their attempts to avoid the blame only make them look more suspicious. Once Upon a Crime features chaotic situations and over-the-top characters, but its miscalibrated humor ends up being more blunt than funny.
Once Upon a Crime’s problems begin with its characters. The Americans are high-strung and exaggerated, coming with pre-packaged foibles for the movie to exploit. Unfortunately, the gimmicks the movie chooses are not very enticing. Julian, Neil, and Augie are loud and abrasive, and they earn none of the sympathy needed to make their antics work. Phoebe and Marilyn fare better, but their more understated characters are drowned out by the men.
Once Upon a Crime has better luck with its plot, although it still misplays its hand. The movie has a workable premise, and by the end it settles into a nice whodunit, complete with flying accusations and ludicrous plot twists. But Once Upon a Crime takes way too long to get there, instead wallowing in subplots that have no bearing on the investigation. The result is an unfocused story that cannot make up for the movie’s comedic missteps.
Once Upon a Crime earns a few laughs around the edges, but its boorish characters and rambling plot are a steep price to pay. Fans of John Candy and Jim Belushi will get the most out of the movie, and anyone who doesn’t mind the characters’ quirks will gets something out of the madcap story. But as it stands, Once Upon a Crime is at best hit-or-miss and at worst outclassed by its competition. Most viewers should approach with caution.
For a more focused crime comedy about an American couple vacationing in Europe who are suspected of murder, try Murder Mystery. For a comedy with a similar sense of humor and similar flaws, try The Out-of-Towners, starring Steve Martin. For a better-calibrated comedy that takes place in Monte Carlo, try Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
[5.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101625/). I give it a 5.5 for a promising setup and cast with flawed execution.