Alfred Molina, Bill Murray, Joanne Whalley

Only die-hard Bill Murray fans will likely consider this movie for their home-video library, but it's not without its rewards. You can see why someone as comically astute as Murray would agree to play...( read more  read more... ) a dimwitted American who can't tell the difference between improvised theater and a real-life espionage plot. There's certainly plenty of potential for belly laughs, and Murray milks the opportunities like the old pro that he is. Here he plays an American tourist in London who thinks he's been recruited into a street-theater act called "Theater of Life"; actually, he's stepped into a complicated spy scheme that plays like a cross between Hitchcock and the Marx Brothers. Joanne Whalley costars as the femme fatale who may or may not be a double agent, and along the way there's enough comical confusion to foil any number of idiotic villains. The movie stretches its one-joke premise to desperate extremes (Murray thinks he's in a play, so he's oblivious to genuine danger), and 95 minutes is more than enough time to exhaust the comedic possibilities. But, as always, Murray finds a way to mine gold from a few clever bits, and he cuts loose with some inspired lunacy during a climactic scene involving a hidden bomb and a troupe of dancing Cossacks. It's not Murray's finest hour, but give him credit for making the best out of a challenging situation. --Jeff Shannon

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67% liked it

30,263 ratings

PG, 94 min.

Directed by: Jon Amiel

Release Date: November 14, 1997

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DVD Release Date: October 2, 2001

Stats: 1,234 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,234)


  • September 25, 2009
    There are some great lines in this film but I?m glad Bill Murray moved on from these kind of films! It?s not to be mistaken for some kind of homage to the 1930?s films it sounds like. It?s actually a poor British comedy that isn?t very good.
  • May 7, 2009
    Actually pretty well done for what it's worth. I laughed a few times and thought the execution was solid.
  • April 3, 2009
    incredibly clever. more zaney and slapstick than one might expect from such a clever idea, but here it works well and murray and whalley were the perfect combination for this story. one of my favorite comedies ever.
  • October 27, 2008
    long ago
  • September 4, 2008
    Haha Bill Murray is funny in it but the movie is really nothing special.
  • October 9, 2009
    This is a funny film. Bill Murray is very funny in this. About a man who gets caught into a espionage plot but some how is very naive about it. The film also stars Alfred Molina, Joanne Whalley and Peter Gallagher. A fun film with a crazy story. If your a Bill Murray fan I would ...( read more)suggest checking this one out.
  • September 25, 2009
    una pelicula divertida
  • September 18, 2009
    loved it wen i was 10
  • August 25, 2009
    This was one of the funniest movies I ever saw!
  • June 11, 2009
    Seen It
    Review Coming Soon.

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  • andym300
    September 17, 2006
    I saw this quite a while ago but i remember it being a random night and suddenly this came on tv and i thought i might as well watch it. Suprisingly it turned out to be pretty hilarious at times, bill murray is brilliant as he usually is. Its all lightehearted fun so give it a watch.
  • alexbramley
    July 14, 2006
    it was a really funny movie

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