The Man Who Knew Too Little

1997 "He’s on a mission so secret, even he doesn’t know about it."
6.6| 1h37m| PG| en| More Info
Released: 14 November 1997 Released
Producted By: Warner Bros. Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

An American gets a ticket for an audience participation game in London, then gets involved in a case of mistaken identity. As an international plot unravels around him, he thinks it's all part of the act.

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Reviews

BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment
Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.
Lollivan It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Bluebell Alcock Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies
FlashCallahan Wallace Ritchie flies to England to spend his birthday with his brother, James. James has business guests coming over and must find something to occupy his brother until dinner's over. Wallace ends up taking part in the "Theatre Of Life," which promises to treat the participant as a character in a crime drama. Trouble begins when Wallace is mistaken for a real spy and shoots a man. Now he's tangled up in a plot to kill Russian dignitaries on the eve of the signing of an important peace agreement. For him, it's all an act. But to the men who want a second Cold War, Wallace is public enemy number one......Less of a film, and more The Bill Murray Show......Live From London!!!, the film follows Murray as he is mistaken for a top agent, and him thinking it's all an act. Again its a high concept that's been done many times before, the mistaken identity farce, but here it's more of a who's who of British Thespians, rather than an all out silly farce.Firstly, the films way too dark for family viewing, talks of terrorism and our hero in peril makes for a pretty dark watch, if it were treated as a dark comedy, this could have worked, but it's too goofy in places for its own good.Secondly, there isn't enough character development. It's clear that the brothers are slightly estranged, but his never expands, and the fact that James' wife doesn't know he has a brother, or why he cannot be at the dinner, are balling, and in turn, annoying.So we are left with Murray looking bemused for the rest of the film, and seasoned actors like Molina, and Wilson subliminally rubbing their hands at the thought of their pay packet.If your a Murray fan, the sharp toothed, critical Murray you loved in Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Scrooged, is sorely missed.As is this movies opportunity.
souther02 Maybe this was not one of the best movies, or best loved movies(I noticed it lost quite a bit at the box office), but I laughed almost all the way through this. Laughing, I found out early on is somewhat prohibitive in movie theaters, and of course the person next to you wants to hear what's going on. A lot is going on in this comedy, and I happened to like Joanna Whaley a lot in her French Maid. But, if you did not think the flick was all that hot itself, or anyone, an idea might be to watch the movie again and try to notice only Bill Murray. Think about it, he is acting in a movie where he assumes that he is in a contrived situation. The SNL actor is so completely believable, and his character and everybody else's character is supported by a pretty involved script. The whole comedy is worthwhile if you can watch in an unprotracted manner. I have a habit of seeing some highly acclaimed movies in parts. Yet I watched this all the way through without a break. The plot is not anything new by itself, that is the the plot the criminals have in the heart of London. But then the idea of this sort of thick but spontaneous movie rental employee being involved in there makes the picture unique.
newmanarts-1 The Man Who Knew Too Little has everything possible, not least Bill Murray. If you're a fan of Bill Murray this is the best! If you are a fan of British humour especially 1940s through 1960s, you'll love this one. If not you'll want to watch them after this seeing this one. The Man Who Knew Too Little rides the rail between spoofing and actually being part of that genre. A good movie is even better the second and third time, and this one does not fail that test. Bill and Joanne are great, the bonus is everyone else, especially watch for Alfred Molina as Boris!If you do like the feel of this movie and aren't familiar with the genre then you'll want to watch those old English drama-comedies like The Lavender Hill Mob, 1951,(the same director wrote and directed A Fish Called Wanda.) The Ladykillers, (that's the 1955 version. (Sorry Tom Hanks!)) and the Man In The White Suit were both directed by Alexander Mackendrick, same classic feel. In fact you'll find a gold mine in all those Alec Guinness films! Peter Sellers' Pink Panther series doesn't hurt as well, it fits quite nicely.For those who like their whiskey and movies humoured over peat then Whiskey Galore A.K.A.Tight Little Island is an early gem.
dlepetov This movie is great! It's funny, warm, and original. In a way, some might even find a philosophical context in it - we are sometimes truly effective when we look at things simply as a "theater of life", and when having fun and being a good actor is more important than the outcome of our actions. Bill Murray is fantastic in this movie. My favorite part is a Russian dancing performance with him doing a solo, but there's much more. If feels like many scenes were not rigidly scripted but full of improvisation. It's easy to watch this movie multiple times simply enjoying the acting. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this - it is not a well-known movie.