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"Get A Clue? How
About Get A Script!" |
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Directed by Shawn Levy -
Written by Steve Martin,
Len Blum, Blake Edwards
Starring Steve Martin,
Kevin Kline, Beyonce'
Knowles, Emily Mortimer
Distributed by Sony-
2006 - 93mins - Rated PG |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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D+ |
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Get a clue! |
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Despite the relatively
inspired choice of Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau, "The Pink
Panther" is a vastly unfunny, often uninspired prequel to the films
created by Blake Edwards and the far superior Peter Sellers.
In this "Pink Panther" we learn that Clouseau was his usual bumbling
self in a smaller England town when Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin
Kline) pegs him to solve the murder of a famous soccer coach and the
theft of the Pink Panther diamond.
yawn
The script, co-penned by the usually insightful Martin, is a tired,
hole-filled retread of previously seen gags, stereotypical Clouseau
behaviors and Martin's old, but occasionally entertaining, physical
comedy and garbled linguistics.
Have you seen Martin's laugh out loud funny film PSA encouraging
people to turn off their cell phones? It has been playing as sort of a
"Panther" tease before many films recently. This PSA is, in fact, much
funnier than anything in "The Pink Panther."
Martin, who has always had a gift for physical comedy, performs
admirably here but he's unfortunately placed in a film that offers
almost nothing original and very little funny. As Chief Inspector
Dreyfus, Kevin Kline may get his sorely needed modest hit, but this is
yet another in a string of tired, repetitive performances.
Other supporting players include Beyonce' Knowles and Jean Reno.
Knowles is basically recreating her Austin Powers' role that allows
her to look beautiful, sing and pretend to be human. Reno, on the
other hand, offers his usual dependable performance as a dry,
observant detective instructed by Dreyfus to keep an eye on Clouseau.
Perhaps the only supporting performance that really works on every
level is that of Emily Mortimer as Nicole. Mortimer offers an on
target performance as the charming, loyal assistant to Clouseau. The
script's attempt, however, to build a chemistry between Clouseau and
Nicole falls embarrassingly flat.
"The Pink Panther" is only mildly worth a view. Martin's performance
certainly has its moments, Mortimer is utterly charming and the
production design offers stellar views of England and Clouseau's
vehicle reminds me of my affection for European vehicles.
Yet, everything in "The Pink Panther" feels forced and lacks the
spirit, charm and natural humor of the original "Pink Panther" films.
I have read that Martin had serious reservations about tackling such
an iconic cinema character created with untouchable style by Peter
Sellers. Martin should have trusted his gut feeling and avoided this
horrid retread.
Shawn Levy directs Martin for the third time (the "Cheaper by the
Dozen" films) and still hasn't learned how to direct Martin's "Wild
and Crazy Guy" dual acting personalities. Martin is intelligent AND
Martin can also do physical comedy with the best of them...so why does
everything here feel so damn forced and uncomfortable? The answer, I
fear, is Levy's unsure and remarkably unsteady directing hand.
The sad truth is even the late Henry Mancini's magnificent original
"Pink Panther" score has been altered by Christophe Beck in such a way
that it feels artificial and trivial.
If this is your first visit with "The Pink Panther," then I simply
must insist you rent Sellers' 1964 original film. It is a superior
film in every way, and a reminder that you can't force comic
brilliance.
If Sellers is up there watching, then this "Pink Panther" will have
him seeing red. |
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© Written by Richard Propes |
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How We Rated This Film
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TC Candler -
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| Richard Propes
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D+ |
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Jacob Hall
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TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
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