To promote English humor is ungrateful, because he does not need PR. And did you talk about me there?
- Yes, sir.
- That's it? And the night I came back from my birthday and mistook the lantern for a robber?
- This episode is particularly enjoyed by members of the club, sir. They like to read about it on rainy nights.
Perhaps such a chic introduction would be enough for the comedy "Blinded by Desire" filmed in 1967 by director Stanley Donen. And then, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore were so cunning that they not only wrote the script, but also took the main roles. But really, what to tell about a completely banal story?
Once upon a time there was a shy nerd Stanley Moon, who was in love with Margaret, a waitress who worked in a cafe where he worked as a cook. And so strong was his love, and he was timid, that on the verge of suicide agrees to a deal with the Devil, suddenly found himself at the right time and place. His name was George Spigotta, but it said the Devil. Business is clear. Naturally, for his services, Lucifer asked for an immortal soul, and in return offered the fulfillment of seven wishes.
To be with his beloved in what only heavy desires did not allow the cook. What he never had to be. And a fly, and a multimillionaire, and an orator, and a singer, and even a nun. But the deal with the Angel of Light is fraught with deceptions and tricks, so as they say, and the cart is still there, to say the least. I mean, Spigotta was a badass. And he had his employees as a pickup. Bouncer Anger, lawyer Sloth, seducer Lust, neighbor Envy, girlfriend Greed and Glutton.
As you can see, the story is as simple as slippers on the feet of an English gentleman. If not for British humor. Yes, it is the one that makes your gyruses, floating calmly in gray matter, smile with wit that just poured from the lips of the heroes. All transformations of the main character are nothing compared to dialogues.
Yes, we still have to deal with late remorse.
- Well, it's not that scary.
- Not that scary? Think. I've been working with a client for 60 years. I instill vanity, greed, lust, laziness, and on the threshold of death he will take and repent. I lost Mussolini so much.
The scenes between desires are simply masterpieces. When the Devil, committing his petty mischief, such as letting a pigeon poop on a passerby’s hat (yes, and I was hoping that this was luck and did not think that this was Satan’s leprosy), he conducted philosophical conversations with his unsuccessful client, as well as complained about his work, which he had to do.
You know, Mr. Spigott, you're the first person to take the trouble to talk to me. I like you. But you're doing so much evil.
- I didn't mean to.
- I believe you.
I could keep listing all the dialogues, but why? It is better to look and enjoy the clever and sparkling English humor, when sometimes smiling foolishly, the joke reached like a giraffe. Everything else, like camera work, costumes, music and other attributes, deserve only one word - they did not prevent you from enjoying the stream of jokes that simply chained and did not let go to the final credits. I will dwell, however, on the director who deftly moved the actors around his picture, so that they were not at all proud of having done the main work, just like in a dialogue:
In the meantime, He is all-powerful.
- What do you mean?
- He is everywhere, all over the world at the same time. That's it. And I'm just highly maneuverable.
Film by Stanley Donen review from me, and whether to watch or not your freedom of choice.
9 out of 10