MovieChat Forums > Some Like It Hot (1959) Discussion > Incredibly overrated

Incredibly overrated

posted 16 years ago by SimonForte
87 replies | jump to latest

A lot of respectable lists and institutions have this as one of the greatest comedies of all time. Please.

I didn't laugh out loud once at this movie. Sure it may make you crack a smile here and there, but lets remember one thing...

A lot of respectable lists and institutions have this as one of the greatest comedies of all time.

It just isn't that funny. Maybe it is because it hasn't withstood the test of time, or maybe standards were lower back then. Who knows. But if that is the case, then its time to take it off those lists. Are we just keeping that title because it was funny at the time? There have been so many movies, on all different comedic levels that have surpassed this. It was just so disappointing to watch because of the hype(wierd for a movie out about 50 years ago).

[–] gingerbreadsatan 16 years ago

just a quick question, what are your top 10 comedies of all time? What do you think is a good comedy? Personally, this one isn't super high up on my list, but I definitely enjoyed it. The innuendo was incredible for a movie made in the 50's. These days, anyone can make poop jokes and force each other to look at their privates, but back then it was completely different. This was way ahead of its time in terms of tongue-in-cheek humor. The subtlty this movies gives blows away all the in your face fart jokes and slapstick crap that is out today.

you can either die a hero, or live long enough to become a villian

[–] I_Love_Hutch 9 years ago

I like SLIH, but I agree with the OP. I find it charming and appealing, but not incredibly hilarious. My top ten comedies, or I should say movies that make me laugh the most. (Some of them are not what you would call straight comedies. )

In no order...

1. HEAT (1972) This one actually is my favorite comedy by far. The three lead females are so over the top in their neurotic shenanigans that one must never get used to it!

2. REFORM SCHOOL GIRLS (1986) Also starring the inimitable and formidable Pat Ast.

3. TRASH (1970)

4. ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE. (1974)

5. MOMMIE DEAREST (1981) I know. Technically not a comedy but it still makes me laugh after all these years and that's all that matters.

6. NINE TO FIVE (1980)

7. THREE WOMEN (1977) This movie is also a psychologically jarring drama. It is a stupendous film.

8. TOOTSIE (1982) Dustin Hoffmann is incredibly funny and it just makes me feel good.

9. EMPIRE OF THE ANTS (1977) "I am not running a charity!" (Hey Rascal!)

10. WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE (1997) Very bleak in its humor, but also extremely funny.

11. POLYESTER (1981) Sorry I had to help myself to one more. And I just could not possibly ever forget Francine and Cuddles.

[–] anna1926 16 years ago

What makes you say it hasnt stood the test of time?I think it has. And so what if you didnt laugh out loud, loads of others did. That just means you've got bad taste in comedies.

'It's the story of my life. I always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop.'

[–] SimonForte 16 years ago

Learn to read. I said maybe it hasn't stood the test of time. And I don't have bad taste in comedies. Not only that, but someone not laughing out loud at this movie does not mean they have bad taste in comedies. That is one of the most ignorant conclusions I have ever read.

I don't disagree with many of the choices that an organization like AFI puts on a list, I just feel that they give way to much weight to older movies. I was tempted to, as a previous poster asked, to make a list of funnier comedies. But I feel like my list would have to many similar examples, like early bill murray movies, or Mel Brooks films.

But can you honestly tell me any one in some like it hot was as good as say Ted Knight in Caddyshack?

[–] rageagainstpopularity 16 years ago

I did not laugh out loud once in this entire film, but i enjoyed it very much. It takes a lot for me to laugh out loud while watching a film, i just don't do it that often.

[–] NSurone 16 years ago

It may not be the funniest comedy ever made (I'd give that title to A NIGHT AT THE OPERA or YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN), but it is an enjoyable movie. A hell of a lot better than the vulgar crap that passes for "comedy" today.
MM's performance was so good that it's hard to believe the stories about how much trouble she was on the set.

[–] dukie172 16 years ago

Personally, when I watch old comedies, I don't get the same reaction as comedies nowadays. It's not because they're not as funny. It's because they're funny in their own way. Everything isn't a punchline in the older comedies. A lot of it has to do with the reactions, story line, and developing characters. In other words, the goal wasn't just to be funny. It was also to have a great story too. Look at a movie like Blazing Saddles (which I love btw). The story is pretty weak, but it has a lot of great lines in it that are hilarious. Some Like It Hot on the other hand doesn't have as many of those one-liners (though there are some good ones). To make it easier to understand, you have to put it in perspective of literary comedy. In literature, comedies are defined as having a happy ending along with a character that is funny is some way. For example, Rip Van Winkle, while not hilarious would be defined a comedy. Ok...this is getting to be too much....

The point is...don't judge it by the amount of laughs it gets. Judge it by how much you enjoy the movie as a whole. Like most Billy Wilder films (including my personal favorite: The Apartment), it's not simply a comedy. It's also a love story and action/suspense film. It's just a complete film.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] icebox27 16 years ago

I agree with the initial post on this thread. Zero laughs for me from this movie.

[–] gabypanama 9 years ago

Same here. To me its an "ok fun movie from the 50's"

[–] scotbpens 15 years ago

. . . But I feel like my list would have to many similar examples, like early bill murray movies, or Mel Brooks films.

Comparing Mel Brooks' movies with Some Like it Hot is apples and oranges. They're very different types of comedy. As for Bill Murray, I've always found him mildly amusing at best, and that's when he has good material to work with.

All the universe . . . or nothingness. Which shall it be, Passworthy? Which shall it be?

[–] Red_Dust 15 years ago

Not only that, but someone not laughing out loud at this movie does not mean they have bad taste in comedies. That is one of the most ignorant conclusions I have ever read.

What is also ignorant is you saying that this movie is overrated and arguing about it not being funny. You were coming off as pretentious in your post. Just because YOU think it's not funny, doesn't mean that this movie is not funny. It just means that MAYBE other things make you laugh, or that you just don't get the humor.

There have been movies/shows that I don't find funny but the majority of people tend to. I'm not going to post on their boards saying,"This is overrated", because I know damn well that an opinion is just an opinion. If I think something is overrated, that doesn't make it fact.

That being said, I'm not going to argue against you for thinking this movie is not funny. Not everyone can like the same thing. Two people with different opinions can argue forever about something and it's just a waste of time. I respect that you don't think it's funny. What I don't respect is you thinking your opinion is fact.

[–] rck_n_rll 14 years ago

Maybe you just have a different sense of humor. A lot of people find this movie funny, including myself. You don't and I'm sure you're not alone. It sounds to me like you just don't prefer older movies, and once again, I'm sure you aren't alone. Sorry, but you sound like a snob. Next.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Jamasc04 16 years ago

Really? I laughed out loud a bunch of times. And that means it stood the test of time since I'm only 20. But seriously, I was cracking up throughout the movie!

[–] MissIlsaLund 16 years ago

I didn't laugh out loud once at this movie.

I'm truly sorry

If I ever run into any of you bums on a street corner, just let's pretend we've never met.

[–] smv12 16 years ago

I wouldn't call it the greatest comedy of all time simply due to Monroe's HORRIFIC performance. How on Earth did she win all those awards - it looked like she was strung out (which she was) throughout.

[–] theduchess86 9 years ago

what awards????

[–] aciolino 16 years ago

It is truly a pity that you are unable to "get" the humor in this film. I suspect you are quite young (relative to me, at least) and were raised on what passed for comedy on television from the 70's onward... which, by many, was a giant step backward in the evolutionary chain of comedy.

I can't convince you of the film's "funny-ness," but I will relate this story: when I saw the film when it was released I was but six years old. I was with my parents and extended family. I remember not getting any of the humor, but what I do remember vividly is the overwhelming reaction of the sold out audience--people having trouble breathing from laughing so hard and long; laughter so loud and prolonged that people were always asking, "what did he say?" because much of the next line was inaudible. I have not been in a theater with that kind of audience reaction since. (the Marx Brothers came close in the early 70's when their films were revived at houses in NYC).

You can take that for what it's worth.

Tell me the last time you experienced this in a movie theater, where the laughter of the audience consistently drowned out the dialogue.

[–] denis-38 16 years ago

Interesting! I also saw film during it's first release. I was six. It was a VERY adult movie to take a child to, but my family was rather advanced in some ways. I do remember the laughter, and also the literal gasp that errupted from the entire audience when the spotlight comes in on Marilyn singing "I Wanna Be Loved By You." She looked nude from the waist up. It was quite a moment. I also remember my aunt saying, "Oh, she (MM) is adorable, but she IS getting a bit chubby." And my other aunt replied, "But she was pregnant." Then a big talk about her miscarriages!

No film is to everyone's taste, and it's okay not to like "Some Like It Hot" or Marilyn or black and white movies for that matter. But I am appalled at the language and attitudes expressed--and not just on this subject or this film. It's only movies, folks. Save the anger and arguing for real life and issues of importance.

[–] tnikkane 15 years ago

Thanks for sharing, -denis-38 : =) I love hearing contemporary reactions!!!

[–] bonbk 16 years ago

I'm not going to try to convince people that this is a hilarious, clever, well made film which it is IMO.

Sure, Airplane is very funny, Mel Brooks films, Christopher Guest films, Bill Murray comedies, Coen Brothers etc. But there's a whole world of extremely funny movies that are from a different era, and if you watch them with an open mind and no expectations based on others' opinions you may enjoy them.
Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Chaplin, Carol Lombard, Judy Holiday, Jack Lemmon = funny!

I can laugh out loud sitting in traffic just thinking about some of the classic lines in SLIH, but not laughing out loud doesn't necessarily mean a film isn't funny. One of the posters told the OP to get over themselves....excellent idea.

"Nobody's perfect" who doesn't laugh at this?!?!?

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

The "Nobody's perfect" bit is one of the best-executed scenes in comedy history, and this film has more than enough memorable scenes to rank it as one of the best comedies ever.

That said, any "best" lists are made to generate argument, and the AFI's surely has. I have to say I think "Some Like It Hot" is slightly overrated, if only because I like "The Apartment," "Flirting With Disaster" and "This Is Spinal Tap" more.

But the measure of a great comedy isn't strictly the number of laughs -- because by that token, "Airplane!" would probably be at the top of my list. The measure of a great comedy is the strength of its performances and direction as well, and by that token, "Some Like It Hot" is way up there.

[–] Mel204 16 years ago

The problem with these lists is that I think it's practically impossible to define the funniest film of all time. Many comedies I have seen have all had their merits and their flaws and it's difficult to call one the 'best.' However, I'm 18, did not see Some Like It Hot when it was first released, but still really enjoyed it. I'm generally not a laugh out loud person anyway when watching a film. I could find something really hilarious but would usually just smile or possibly have a chuckle/snigger. I watched Some Like It Hot on the plane going home a few months ago and it definitely kept me entertained! The dialogue is sharp and witty, the comic timing is superb and the situations are very amusing.

[–] SimonForte 16 years ago

You take your own opinion way too seriously, pal. Get over yourself.

--Last Films--
Some Like It Hot -- 7.5/10
Raising Arizona -- 8/10

At least I don't feel the need to post ratings for movies I have seen recently... like anyone cares what you think of Raising Arizona...

And no, I have no respect for hollywood institutions. But let let me clue you in son, a lot of people don't.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] SimonForte 16 years ago

"Call me a loser, tell me to get out of my parent's basement, please, anything but insult my movie ratings!"

Oh, there is nothing wrong with your ratings. I just don't know why you think anyone cares about your opinion. Hmmm. subatomic gave dark city an 8.5... Maybe I should check that movie out...

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] mysweetone 16 years ago

Hahaha - now that made me laugh out loud.

[–] Flagler_88 16 years ago

Just because you didn't find it funny doesn't mean it should be removed from any list, I think that is the job of those making the list.

I can't stand the movie version of West Side Story but so many lists claim it is one of the greatest, I could write an essay on why it was poorly made from the broadway show, but instead I let the list makers do their thing, after all they invented the lists, let them do what they like with it.

I think people put too much stock in others opinion, a movie is good because the person watching likes it, something I have only recently learned to accept myself, there are enough artists and films around to allow us to create our own lists of great films and not rely so much on so called experts, a quite redundant idea in my mind, because we as a society shouldn't need to be told what is and isn't art.

Why do we allow others to tell us what we should and shouldn't like, the whole reason we are here is to learn and grow and you can't do that if you follow a blue print of other people's lives.