When I saw this in the theatre, I was 24, and recall that back then, I thought of it as a cynical "cash grab" - as we say now. Greedy Blake Edwards, et al, gleaning one last paycheck from the love most of us felt for the too-soon departed sweet genius named Peter Sellers. Fleecing the suckers.
But tonight, at age 66, I discovered something about time and distance: as I watched this movie, I believe for the first time since 1982 in some darkened theatre here in Honolulu, I now understand that for everyone involved, it -is- a tribute to Peter...a fond farewell, eloquently captured by David Niven when he says (at approx. The 1:36:50 mark): "Men like Clouseau never die. They're indestructible, and that's the way it should be." The woman interviewing him asks why. "Well, we need them. They help us preserve our sense of humor. And they're living proof that, however bad things get, if you persevere, you survive - and sometimes even win."
Now that's what I call a fitting tribute to the man, and the character he brought to life. Long live Inspector Clouseau!
Peace! MFF in Honolulu May 17, 2024.
But tonight, at age 66, I discovered something about time and distance: as I watched this movie, I believe for the first time since 1982 in some darkened theatre here in Honolulu, I now understand that for everyone involved, it -is- a tribute to Peter...a fond farewell, eloquently captured by David Niven when he says (at approx. The 1:36:50 mark): "Men like Clouseau never die. They're indestructible, and that's the way it should be." The woman interviewing him asks why. "Well, we need them. They help us preserve our sense of humor. And they're living proof that, however bad things get, if you persevere, you survive - and sometimes even win."
Now that's what I call a fitting tribute to the man, and the character he brought to life. Long live Inspector Clouseau!
Peace! MFF in Honolulu May 17, 2024.
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