Review of Some Like It Hot (1939) by Ed F — 04 Mar 2010

So often these days is the term â??timeless classicâ?? used to describe a film with less than memorable qualities, a film which fails to reach the towering standards of â??Some Like it Hotâ??, rightfully hailed as one of the greatest American comedies of all time.

The film stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, playing two charming yet down on their luck musicians who, after witnessing a mobster hit are forced to go on the run, hiding out in a travelling all-girl musical band headed to Florida. In their desperate attempt for secrecy, they each don a female alter ego; Josephine and Daphne respectively.

There they meet the alluringly sexy but troubled â??Sugar Kaneâ?? (played by Marilyn Monroe in a close case of art imitating life). She sings, drinks and oozes femininity, capturing the eyes of our two male protagonists who struggle for her affections whilst maintaining their visual deception. What follows is a story filled with perfectly timed comedy and daring central performances.

Written and directed by master filmmaker Billy Wilder, â??Some Like it Hotâ?? is flawlessly scripted and features a cast at the top of their game, especially Curtis and Lemmon who bounce off each other perfectly, embracing their feminine sides with just the right amount of camp. Monroe isnâ??t bad either.

Hollywood really doesnâ??t make them like this anymore and after fifty years the film has managed to survive the test of time, offering something the whole family can enjoy for years to come.