The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)

You won't be disappointed!

Thanks for the memories!

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The cast selection for various characters is one of the best things about "The Man Who knew too Little." Bill Murray is very good as Wallace Ritchie, in his usual persona of witty one-liners and dry humor. But several others are over the top funny. Most notable is Alfred Molina as Boris the Butcher. The gang characters of Sergei and Dimitri are a hoot. And Peter Gallagher as Murray's flustered brother, James, is a riot. Joanne Whalley is very funny as Lori. Others of the cast add to the delicious mayhem of this film.The direction and plot are quite good, but I think a better script could have moved this movie up a notch or two. Here we have a perfect vehicle for Murray and company to have an audience rolling in the aisles. But we get a good one-liner, a funny scene, or a witty exchange, followed by some so-so action that begs for more -- another witticism, pun or goofy metaphor to fit in with the action. That happens throughout the film.This type of comedy cries out for more, more. I think it has the flow, and had the film-makers put more effort into the script, we might have had a rollicking funny film. As it is, it's good entertainment for a fun evening.

I've read quite many negative reviews abort his movie . After finally watching it I have to say – it's not bad . It's far from being a great movie , but "The man who knew too little" is kinda worth rental .As the title suggest it's a parody of Hitchcock's "The man who knew too much". Also it's a parody of Bond movies (or any spy movie). The idea is simple – the main hero thinks it's all a game , while everything is real. It makes the movie a basically one joke comedy – all the characters are wrong about each other actions and motivations. Most of the jokes fall flat.The thing that makes "TMWKTL" watchable is the acting . Bill Murray is charming and charismatic as ever . He's very funny , when he's pretending to be Dirty Harry . Alfred Molina who plays the villain Boris The Butcher is also a joy to watch . Add to that lovely Joanne Whaley as sexy spy Lorrie and funny Peter Gallagher as James Ritchie -brother of main hero.Overall it's nothing great , but it's a fun fluffy entertainment worth watching once . I give it 5/10.

A Bill Murray vehicle which is all over the road. Pee Wee Herman would have made a better secret agent. The writers pulled out all the B movie plots to write this. Bill Murray "Secret Agent" in London, falls into a "secret plot" to kill some Prime Minister.A Call girl to the British Defense Minister has "secret letters" that means absolutely nothing to anyone. Russian "secret" agents grab Murray and hold him for something.Scotland yard is looking for Bill Murray who are as competent as Pee Wee Herman finding his Bicycle at the Alamo.The British Secret Service agents are older then the Queen. There is a summit between Russian,British,German,American Embassadors and absolutely no security at a Hotel in London. Meanwhile Russian agents want to torture Bill Murray for some unknown and stupid reason kind of like the three stooges.Anyway an old Gezzer couple dressed in leather are performing S&M acts,absolutely hideous script.What moron wrote this movie. ?Why would any good actor agree to appear in this movie.It states that it cost $20,000,000 to make this movie. unless I read this wrong.It grossed like $10,000,000 worldwide.

The audience (fed up by the horrendous Hollywood crap), clearly was not able even to start appreciating the pure elegance of the movie. Bill Murray enjoys himself, camera man likes his work, Rusian spies are charming. Rest of the cast are on par.The very end is fishy, but thats a comedy after all!I just could not believe my eyes when I saw a 6.2 rating for the movie. The is the most "French-like" (i.e. frivolous, not pompous, not a hint of a usual dull American humor) American comedy I ever saw.Those who like the Ground Hog Day, will appreciate the irony, ease and elegance.