Some Like It Hot (1959) - Critical Reviews

Synopsis

After two Chicago musicians, Joe and Jerry, witness the the St. Valentine's Day massacre, they want to get out of town and get away from the gangster responsible, Spats Colombo. They're desperate to get a gig out of town but the only job they know of is in an all-girl band heading to Florida. They show up at the train station as Josephine and Daphne, the replacement saxophone and bass players. They certainly enjoy being around the girls, especially Sugar Kane Kowalczyk who sings and plays the ukulele. Joe in particular sets out to woo her while Jerry/Daphne is wooed by a millionaire, Osgood Fielding III. Mayhem ensues as the two men try to keep their true identities hidden and Spats Colombo and his crew show up for a meeting with several other crime lords.

Critical Acclaim

Upon its release in 1959, *Some Like It Hot* was met with widespread acclaim, praised for its bold humor and innovative approach to comedy. The film, directed by Billy Wilder and starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon, was considered daring for its time, tackling themes of cross-dressing and sexuality with a lighthearted and comedic touch. Critics lauded the film’s witty script, co-written by Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond, and its ability to blend slapstick humor with clever dialogue, marking it as a significant entry in the comedy genre.

Bosley Crowther of The New York Times extolled the film as "one of the funniest pictures of recent memory," highlighting the impeccable comedic timing of Lemmon and Curtis. In modern retrospectives, the film has maintained its esteemed status, with a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, underscoring its lasting appeal. Roger Ebert later noted in his review that the film was "flawlessly structured" and praised Monroe's performance as one of her finest, emphasizing her natural comedic abilities and charm.

The legacy of *Some Like It Hot* is evidenced by its enduring influence and recognition as a classic of American cinema. The film received six Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Costume Design. It consistently appears in "greatest films of all time" lists, including the American Film Institute's 100 Years…100 Laughs, where it was ranked as the greatest comedy film. Its groundbreaking approach to gender roles and humor continues to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike, cementing its place in the pantheon of cinematic achievements.