Review of Irma la Douce (1963) by Stuart K — 01 Feb 2011

Directed by Billy Wilder, adapted from the play by Alexandre Breffort, this was quite a near the knuckle film when it came out, although it is relativity tame by todays standards. It reunites the stars of The Apartment (1960) and is quite glossy in it's own right, but it's director has made better films.

Set in Paris, it has prostitute Irma la Douce (Shirley MacLaine) making a living in a small district of Paris, who makes a healthy living. However, new policeman Nestor Patou (Jack Lemmon) comes on the beat, and he's an honest policeman who won't turn a blind eye to indecency and bribes.

When he tries to arrest all the prostitutes, he is removed from the police force and ends up living with Irma la Douce. Nestor wants to be with Irma in a relationship, but cannot bear the thought of Irma being with other men, so with help from local cafe owner Moustache (Lou Jacobi), Nestor creates the alter-ego of Lord X, an English Lord who will seduce Irma, however, Irma falls for Lord X over Nestor, so Nestor has to take drastic measures.

It's a very lavish film, and it does have it's laughs and good performances, but it does drag on a bit too long. Nobodys fault, most films back then were like that, but it's not as good as Some Like It Hot (1959) or The Apartment (1960).