Notice I didn't say "Ahead of it's (it is) time." Sorry, I just have to be different and use the English language correctly.
That out of the way, this movie was a very pleasant surprise. Sure it has its cliché moments, such as the obligatory fight between Mitchum and Lemmon over the lady. But even that scene ends semi-realistically, with Mitchum kicking poor Lemmon's ass (as you would expect), not the good, decent guy (Lemmon) triumphing over the larger and meaner bully. I respect that choice by the director/writers. Similarly, the ending also is not a pat happy ending -- nice guys DO finish last, just as in real life! I was already rolling my eyes as soon as the rescue against all hope occurred, but then the realistic twist at the end brought me home again.
I simply cannot resist thinking that the title has something to do with whether or not Hayworth is a natural redhead! Sorry, but the double (or triple) entendre is there, and you can't ignore it! You've got the fire simmering between the three lead characters, the fire on the Ulysses, and...well, you know.
I was delighted to recognize Anthony Newley in a minor role as the bartender who introduces Mitchum and Lemmon to Rita Hayworth and her current protector. I kept waiting for him to belt out "What Kind of Fool Am I?" He was quite amusing as the unabashedly greedy go-between.
Almost 50 years down the road, this movie still retains its "fire."
That out of the way, this movie was a very pleasant surprise. Sure it has its cliché moments, such as the obligatory fight between Mitchum and Lemmon over the lady. But even that scene ends semi-realistically, with Mitchum kicking poor Lemmon's ass (as you would expect), not the good, decent guy (Lemmon) triumphing over the larger and meaner bully. I respect that choice by the director/writers. Similarly, the ending also is not a pat happy ending -- nice guys DO finish last, just as in real life! I was already rolling my eyes as soon as the rescue against all hope occurred, but then the realistic twist at the end brought me home again.
I simply cannot resist thinking that the title has something to do with whether or not Hayworth is a natural redhead! Sorry, but the double (or triple) entendre is there, and you can't ignore it! You've got the fire simmering between the three lead characters, the fire on the Ulysses, and...well, you know.
I was delighted to recognize Anthony Newley in a minor role as the bartender who introduces Mitchum and Lemmon to Rita Hayworth and her current protector. I kept waiting for him to belt out "What Kind of Fool Am I?" He was quite amusing as the unabashedly greedy go-between.
Almost 50 years down the road, this movie still retains its "fire."