Watch The Man Who Knew Too Little
- PG
- 1997
- 1 hr 34 min
-
6.6 (34,268)
The Man Who Knew Too Little is a 1997 comedy film starring Bill Murray, Joanne Whalley, and Peter Gallagher. The movie is based on the novel "Watch That Man" by Robert Farrar, which was released in 1986. The story follows Wallace Ritchie (Bill Murray), an American visiting his brother James (Peter Gallagher) in London. James, a successful businessman, gets Wallace a ticket to a "Theater of Life" experience which is supposed to be an interactive event where people can immerse themselves in a spy novel.
Wallace misunderstands the situation and thinks he has stumbled into a real-life espionage plot. The comedy is driven by Wallace's naivety as he goes wild, participating in dangerous situations, thinking that it is all part of the game.
The plot of the movie focuses on Wallace's accidental involvement in a plot to overthrow the Russian government, with both British and Russian intelligence agencies after him, he is trying to piece together the clues that will lead him closer to the mystery that he thinks is all make-believe.
Joanne Whalley plays Lori, a girl that Wallace meets at a bar and who he thinks is part of the interactive theater experience, but in reality, she is a Russian spy who has been set up to babysit him. Here, Whalley's character develops from a typical blonde bombshell to a cunning spy and a sort of love interest to Wallace.
The rest of the cast includes people who are trying to drag Wallace into the plots and get information from him. Peter Gallagher is great as Wallace's successful brother James, who only wants a peaceful life and thinks his brother is mad for getting himself involved in such an adventure. The actors playing the spies, including Richard Wilson and Anna Chancellor, are excellent, too, and they do justice to their characters, bringing out the diabolical, yet alluring characters they portray.
One of the highlights of the movie is Bill Murray's performance as Wallace. His character is a perfect fit for a comedian who can improvise and bring life to the movie. He is hilarious as he jumps out of windows, gets involved in high-speed car chases, and faces gunfire, all while thinking it is part of the interactive theater experience. He is naïve and innocent, but still manages to pull off a great role, making the movie worth watching.
The cinematography is stunning and captures the essence of London well. The well-known landmarks like the Tower Bridge, the Globe Theatre, and Trafalgar Square feature in some of the shots, making the movie more engaging for viewers who love London. The director Jon Amiel manages to keep the pace and energy of the movie flowing with excellent editing techniques that keep the story moving at a perfect pace.
The music by Christopher Young is also excellent and helps to create the mysterious atmosphere that The Man Who Knew Too Little gives off. The music perfectly complements Wallace's comical antics and helps to keep the audience engaged.
The movie is a perfect example of a carefully choreographed mystery-comedy that puts viewers on the edge of their seats as they try to figure out what is happening while laughing out loud. It is the perfect combination of smart and silly that will appeal to different types of viewers. Fans of spy movies, comedies, and mysteries will love this movie.
In conclusion, The Man Who Knew Too Little is a well-performed comedy that is perfect for a night in. Bill Murray is in great form, delivering laughs and adventure in equal measure. The movie manages to capture the essence of London, while keeping the energy levels up throughout. It is a must-watch for any fan of Murray, and for anyone who loves mysteries combined with chuckles.
The Man Who Knew Too Little is a 1997 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.