All the Queen's Men (2001)

good back-story, and good acting

Expected more

Best movie ever!

Absolutely brilliant

This is such a fun, campy movie. The lack of reality and British leaning comedy are wonderful, and at the same time the movie struck home with the effect of wartime on a human populace. Eddie Izzard is wonderful in this movie; he alone makes it well worth watching. I think it's a vastly under-rated title.

American Special Agent Steven O'Rourke (Matt LeBlanc) or, as he is jokingly referred to by his superior officers "Special Agent Almost" has come dangerously close to pulling off several high stakes intelligence operations. His latest mission, a nearly successful attempt to steal an Enigma machine (the secret coding device the Nazis used) ends in a a fight between a small number of soldiers which was short and not planned, and which happened away from the main area of fighting in a war. The soldiers then went on to destroy the Enigma and place him under arrest.I just like the idea of Eddie Izzard playing a transvestite when he uses makeup and dresses up for his comedy routines. And Matt LeBlanc managed to stray away from his dim-playing of Joey in Friends. A bit like Lost In Space, but set in a war zone. Haven't seen it all yet, but watch the beginning quotes on the DVD, which was quite funny if you're not easily offended.

The movie has a British feel to the humor and style. It was refreshing to watch a movie that didn't didn't blow things up or have a chase scene of lots of fancy fighting. My husband and I both enjoyed the movie, and felt light hearted after watching it.I loved the campy cabaret scenes, the sets, and lack of reality. Who needs realistic war scenes and drama when they want to relax and be entertained. Yet there was a poignant look at how the war affected people. It would have been improved with English subtitles for the German dialog, but it was easy enough to follow the plot.

ATQM was amusing, but what made the movie was Eddie Izzard as Tony. A few of his lines were so funny, you have to wonder if they were ad-libbed. Now, this is not the greatest movie ever made by any means.For one thing, Matt LeBlanc makes a very unattractive woman :-P. However, the characters are likable and the script is at times hysterical and at other times very heart wrenching. James Cosmo, whom I had dismissed early on in the film as being simply silly comic-relief, turned out an incredibly poignant performance. The female lead is sassy and strong while at the same time very vulnerable and traumatized by her circumstances. I was surprised, but pleased, at how strongly the story dealt with homo-, hetero-, and bisexual characters that all got along quite well. If you dislike either Eddie Izzard (say it isn't so!) or Matt LeBlanc, then you should avoid ATQM. Otherwise, enjoy! :-)