Review of Hello, Dolly! (1969) by Movie M — 14 Oct 2017

Reviewed 9.7.17. I'm not certain I've ever seen so much effort result in such small returns. It's filmed on an epic scale, with intricate and massive set pieces. The actors put so much energy into their roles, I felt a sense of exhaustion just watching them try so hard.

And the result of all of this effort, and certainly piles of money in production costs, is a bloated whale of a movie. For no amount of dollars can buy chemistry, which is sorely lacking amongst the leads, Barbra Streisand & Walter Matthau.

We're talking zero chemistry here, it's painful. The secondary story line produces what charm exists, as actors Michael Crawford & Danny Lockin take Marianne McAndrew & E.J. Peaker on a date their characters will never forget, and for all of the right reasons.

Their story of romance based on true love and attraction only further underscores the petty nature of the lead characters. The last straw is an insultingly brief appearance by the brilliant Louis Armstrong.

He possess more talent and charm than everyone else combined, but is instead exploited for the instant gravitas and hipness his presence provides. If only they'd been smart enough to properly recognize the purest talent in the room.

Instead we're left with a bland mess, and at almost 2 1/2 hours, it all wears markedly thin.