Timing is everything in comedy, and thus thrilling classic is probably the most continuously hysterical film that I have seen in years. This is one of those films where you must watch without distraction and without turning away for any reason. Those who dismiss comedy as not an art form should open up to films like this where every moment is staged to be precisely perfect down to the second.
This really has no major plot, just the goings on at a lavish Hollywood party where Sellers, as an accident prone Indian actor, shows up stag and unknowingly turns the evening into a series of accidents, aided by a drunken server, a few ditsy starlets, and just plain bad timing. While there are a few familiar faces involved (Marge Champion as the hostess and Gavin MacLeod with a toupee as a rather nasty guest), the supporting cast is mainly unknown actors who are directed to not react to the things going on, giving the assumption that they were simply to ignore everything going on around them, exposing pretentious behavior from the audacious guests.
The genius of Peter Sellers and director Blake Edwards surpassed the two Pink Panther films with this where every inconceivable accident happens to him. I don't find anything offensive in Sellers' portrayal of a Hindu man; in fact he's quite lovable in his flaws, gentility and sincerity. So while it may indeed be a mad, mad, mad, mad party, there's nothing maddening for the audience except perhaps the fact that it will take several viewings to capture everything going on.
This really has no major plot, just the goings on at a lavish Hollywood party where Sellers, as an accident prone Indian actor, shows up stag and unknowingly turns the evening into a series of accidents, aided by a drunken server, a few ditsy starlets, and just plain bad timing. While there are a few familiar faces involved (Marge Champion as the hostess and Gavin MacLeod with a toupee as a rather nasty guest), the supporting cast is mainly unknown actors who are directed to not react to the things going on, giving the assumption that they were simply to ignore everything going on around them, exposing pretentious behavior from the audacious guests.
The genius of Peter Sellers and director Blake Edwards surpassed the two Pink Panther films with this where every inconceivable accident happens to him. I don't find anything offensive in Sellers' portrayal of a Hindu man; in fact he's quite lovable in his flaws, gentility and sincerity. So while it may indeed be a mad, mad, mad, mad party, there's nothing maddening for the audience except perhaps the fact that it will take several viewings to capture everything going on.