Irma la Douce

Funny 1963 film re-teaming the great Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine once again. As he was in "Hot," Lemmon is another good-natured jerk, who falls for hooker MacLaine and accepts another identity so as to keep her going financially and off the street. While Lou Jacobi is appealing in the role of the bar-keeper, his main presence is a major reason for the downfall of this film. When Lemmon is blamed for killing off the character he has been portraying, Jacobi knew all this and could have gotten Lemmon off. Instead, he continues the charade which lands Lemmon in jail unnecessarily. Some may call this comedy, I call it stupidity. Lemmon is wonderful as always as the cop and as the street-walker, Mac Laine delivers another Oscar nominated performance.

Lemmon is in top form as an ex-cop who falls in love with a prostitute, played exquisitly by Maclaine. Nonstop fun for all audiences with a script by Diamond and the direction of the always flawless Wilder. Based on a mid 60's musical, but the music is taken out here and is still done up with style and flavor. Lou Jacobi co-stars.

Songless adaptation of the Broadway musical could maybe use some colorful production numbers to break up all the jabbering in this somewhat fatigued comedy-drama. An honest policeman in Paris is determined to keep his prostitute-sweetheart off the streets, going so far as to impersonate a 'customer'. Curious to see these talents (Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, director Billy Wilder, all from "The Apartment") wasting their time with such piffle, which looks terrific but goes nowhere s-l-o-w-l-y. André Previn received an Academy Award for his background score; Joseph LaShelle got a nomination for his rich cinematography, as did MacLaine for Best Actress--she's good, but wasn't she tired of playing floozies by this point? **1/2 from ****

A numerical rating for "Irma la Douce" (Earrrma, the sweet) has little meaning, since that would require comparison with the best modern films. I was a senior in high school when this film came out, and I recall little about it other than its "risque" nature. Viewing it today, it comes off very tame, the only thing "objectionable" is its depiction of working prostitutes as a way of life in France. However everything is suggested. There is no nudity, and no foul language. The film is classic for its time, a simple little romantic comedy story, beautifully filmed with great actors. Set in Paris, none of the characters even try to sound "French." It sounds mostly like any other American movie. For an old film, the DVD transfer is very good.

So it's not the greatest Billy Wilder/Jack Lemmon comedy ever, but it's definitely a very amusing film with witty performances from Jack Lemmon and Shirly McLaine who prove here once again what a believable, great screen couple they make. The scene stealer in this one, though, is Lou Jacobi as Moustache, the hilarious and "wise" bartender across the street. The film loses some of its humor at somes places, but it really takes off the moment Jack becomes Lord X. The music is a great asset, too.

Although "Irma la Douce" can't quite compare to Wilder's greatest works, it's nonetheless an entertaining lightweight piece with ravishing photography, delightful performances, gorgeous set design, and a top-notch musical score. As a whole the film just isn't remarkable enough to reach the level of "Some Like It Hot" and "The Apartment", and it suffers from being needlessly drawn out. Lou Jacobi almost steals the show from Lemmon and MacLaine.

Billy Wilder is remembered for "Some Like It Hot" but not this great Jack Lemmon/Shirley MacLaine comedy of a Paris cop falling in love with a prostitute. In many ways, it's funnier, and certainly risque. But tasteful and delightful overall. Until recently, I had never seen this film in widescreen. But I loved this movie since I was 11 years old. It celebrates love and jealousy in ways that tickle. Moustache is the best reason to watch the film for his witty dialogue and comedic timing. Fans of cameos should spot Bill Bixby and Grace Lee Whitney (Yeoman Janice Rand of Star Trek: TOS). I remember a time when I could tell you other things about this film, but that's another story!