Review of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) by Blake P — 29 Jul 2013

Even viewed 30 years later, "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" is an experiment that is so unique and entertaining that you almost forget how much work was put into it. The film is famous not necessarily because it has the dream team of comedy legends, director Carl Reiner and actor Steve Martin, but because it pays homage to film noir in a very interesting way; it isn't just simply filmed in black-and-white, but it intercuts clips of famous movie legends from '40s films and places them so it seems like they're acting on the screen right with Martin. Considering this is a comedy, you might expect the results to be too try-hard or off-putting. But it's quite the opposite.

Martin portrays Rigby Reardon, a private detective that clearly pays homage to Sam Spade or Phillip Marlowe (who actually makes an appearance as Humphrey Bogart several times). The film revolves around Reardon's solving of a case given to him by sexy client Juliet Forrest (Rachel Ward), a woman who believes that her father was murdered. But it isn't an ordinary investigation.

The film knows exactly how to make a film noir parody, right down to the hard-boiled voiceover.  It doesn't contain the same wackiness seen in "Airplane," but its overall sense of confidence and constant winking suggestion of "look what '40s movie we could fit in here!" makes it difficult not to seriously enjoy "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid."  It's a lot of fun, but it'll be even MORE fun if you have somewhat of a background when it comes into the smoky and completely serious shadow world of film noir.

Even the tiniest appearance of a Hollywood Golden Age superstar results in utter delight, whether or not it's Alan Ladd partaking in a coolly tough conversation or Barbara Stanwyck having a mini-freakout worthy of an Oscar.  Their appearances are instantaneously worthy of laughs and awe, as they are inserted at moments that create huge comic appeal.  The dialogue matches the scene in a way that makes it even funnier, considering we all know that the movie in which they're actually starring is dead serious.

Martin once again proves to be genius in his performance. He keeps his trademark goofy charisma as well as his totally straight-faced delivery, but this time around he circles his performance not around physical comedy but deadpan timing. For first timers, this film doesn't show the archetypal gags he can pull off so easily, but for die-hard fans, this is him at his finest.

"Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" is a completely successful noir homage that can easily be viewed more than once. It's a lot less in your face than most Martin vehicles, but it's so clever and amusing that you can't help but appreciate it as you laugh.