Review of To Be or Not to Be (1998) by Andrew G — 19 Jan 2012
I wouldn't rank this as Lubitsch's greatest (Shop Around the Corner, Ninotchka, Heaven Can Wait, and Trouble in Paradise are all funnier/smoother) but this film scores extra points just for the sheer ballsiness of mixing Hitler and comedy.
No one can properly define "The Lubitsch Touch" but for me that feeling you get when the plot mechanism clicks gently into place, exactly as it should (without too much telegraphing or obviousness), mixing amusement and awareness of humanity/darkness, is close.
Here, Jack Benny and Carole Lombard play actors who get caught up in defending the Polish Resistance from a Nazi spy using all of their actorly arts and crafts. Pokes a finger in Hitler's eye but was judged to be inappropriate at the time.
This review of To Be or Not to Be (1998) was written by Andrew G on 19 Jan 2012.
To Be or Not to Be has generally received very positive reviews.
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