Reviews

This is quite the most astonishing film.It is a joy to perceive,that old insanity of men locked together ,and freaking out because of it.The characters do no reflect life,so much as live it.The protagonists ,Jack Lemmon,and Cagney,and Henry Fonda,behave as though they are trapped animals in an unbreakable cage of entertaining weird dramas.Jack Lemmon is so good that it is pointless to compare him with anyone.Henry Fonda IS Mister Roberts,and a fully rounded character at that.James Cagney shows his sensitive and manic side,and is yet big enough to let Fonda and Lemmon strut their stuff.This is one hell of a good movie.What is the movie's message?No message,just what it is.

This afternoon I chanced upon this terrific film on Channel 4.I had seen it years ago as a child,and couldn't understand why my father kept referring to the brilliant " Our Man in Havana" Now I know what he meant.Alec Guinness hit the perfect note in the part,as he invariably did.Havana is rendered almost tangible by director Carol Reed, a difficult feat to achieve.The rest of the cast shine too.Ernie Kovacs makes a human being out of his police-thug character.The script seems almost improvised,so fresh , pointed and witty.Compare this movie to the bulk of today's garbage,and prepare to feel very let-down by what you can see at your local Multiplex.This strange and sharp movie has re-affirmed my intention to spend some time in Havana.Buena Vista Social Club first whetted my curiosity.This movie is timeless and a great 2 hrs of entertainment/art.Enjoy! And look at Maureen O ' Hara, is she not quite splendid? !