It is unsettling to read all the rave reviews "The Party" gets here. Throughout the film I kept wondering if Blake Edwards and Sellers actually thought this was a funny film. I found it painful... almost embarrassing, to watch. I couldn't believe how trite were the ideas - including the floor opening over a swimming pool, which was great decades before when done in "Its a Wonderful Life," but just one of many duds in Party. And every cliché is dwelt on for a minimum of 10 minutes. Filling a house with bubbles was good for 5 minutes on I Love Lucy, but it is built to operatic dimensions here - while maintaining a frightening level of boredom. The drunk waiter, for about 15 minutes, took over the movie. I wish I could say it was a relief, but his stumbling around and falling on people added zip to the "fun." Could someone please tell me what was funny about the hostess falling into the pool the first, second and/or third time?
Thank gawd Sellers made Strangelove and the Pink Panther flicks! I'd hate to have his reputation rest on this junior high school video.
Thank gawd Sellers made Strangelove and the Pink Panther flicks! I'd hate to have his reputation rest on this junior high school video.