Today’s quick review: The Party. Hrundi V. Bakshi (Peter Sellers) is a well-meaning but hopelessly clumsy Indian actor who was just fired from his most recent role. But due to a mix-up, he’s not blacklisted but instead put on the guest list for a swanky Hollywood party. Whether it’s exploring the host’s luxurious house, fiddling with the decor, or trying to make small talk, Bakshi wreaks havoc everywhere he goes, threatening to derail the party completely.
The Party is a slapstick comedy starring Peter Sellers. The film follows the likable Hrundi V. Bakshi as he tries to make the best of a party he was never meant to be invited to. Packed with physical humor, awkward situations, and colorful characters, The Party is a playground for the talents of Sellers. Its light tone and numerous jokes are sure to earn at least a few laughs, but its flavor of comedy won’t be to everyone’s liking.
The Party excels at a very particular style of humor. Bakshi is both socially awkward and accident-prone, leading to cascades of problems as he tries and fails to correct his earlier mistakes. Peter Sellers shines her, resolving each new situation in the most roundabout way possible. The humor is never highbrow, but it’s often clever, with plenty of bonuses for attentive viewers. The film is topped off with the vibe of a laid-back 60s-era get-together.
The Party also does well by going easy on its protagonist from time to time. Bakshi is a kind person with a charming sense of humor and a knack for quick getaways. Many of the evening’s mishaps are not his fault at all, and the character really comes into his own when he meets Michele Monet (Claudine Longet), an aspiring singer who takes a liking to him. The two have great chemistry, and their relationship is as close as the film gets to a plot.
Give The Party a shot when you’re in the mood for light fare that shows off a master of comedy in his element. The Party has little in the way of substance, but its jokes hit often enough to make it a fun watch. For another Peter Sellers comedy with a more convoluted plot, try The Pink Panther or A Shot in the Dark. For a more tongue-in-cheek style of slapstick, try Airplane! or The Naked Gun.
7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for fun, charm, and inventive slapstick but not much in the way of story; your score will vary according to your taste in comedy.