Once Upon a Crime (1992)

Let's be realistic.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

I love Monte Carlo and thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I thought everyone was very good. I was not familiar with Richard Lewis, I thought he made his character (Julian Peters) very personable, funny and attractive. Sean Young was very good as the befuddled rejected girl with a heart of gold. George Hamilton was charming and the perfect Italian gigolo. John Candy has a field day as the bon vivant. James Belushi is hysterical as a total jerk. Cybill Shepard gave a very sweet performance as a nice vulnerable ignored housewife. Delightful ensemble cast. Lots of talent, clever script, lots going on and beautiful locations. Just a nice pick me up for a dreary day. Especially in the winter when a trip to Europe is not anywhere on your horizon.

1st watched 12/26/2008 -(Dir-Eugene Levy): Corny comedy murder mystery with very few laughs. The movie appears to be based on an earlier Italian movie according to the credits but was re-written by two fairly popular American romantic comedy writers. But this one by Charles Shyer & Nancy Meyers does not cut it compared to their other efforts. The story is about a couple of down-and-out traveling Americans, played by Richard Lewis and Sean Young, who stumble upon a lost dog and hope to make a fortune in reward money after seeing an ad in the paper for the dachsund's return. Upon trying to return it, they see a hand sticking out of a garage door at the lady's residence that they believe is attached to the rest of the dead body of the woman who is supposed to give them the money. They freak out and instead of contacting the police and telling them the truth they make out like runaways from the scene expecting to be framed for the murder. The other characters in the film are met on a train prior to this and hang around a Monte Carlo gambling resort doing various things to be pulled into the story. The other cast members include character actors John Candy, James Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, George Hamilton and others. After the police find out about the death, they start questioning the main characters and, of course, they have to work thru their goofy lies to figure out what really happened. None of the character actors mentioned earlier can bring this movie out of it's mediocre state despite some funny moments mostly provided by the Belushi/Shepherd couple. This isn't a horrible movie, it just isn't that good. There are plenty of average movies out there and this is just another one for the pile. Try it, maybe you'll like it, probably you won't.

There are some fairly good performances in this rather thin movie. However, be advised that James Belushi gives one of the most annoying performances that you will ever see. He plays one of those extremely selfish husbands who always has something unkind to say to his wife (played very well by Cybil Sheppard). Belushi is hyperactive throughout the film and his overacting tends to spoil this movie. His every spoken line tends to be as shrill as the proverbial "fingernail across the chalkboard". I despise people like the character he plays in real life and have similar sentiments towards them on screen. Why the film's Director didn't restrain Belushi will forever remain a mystery to me. During the scenes that Belushi isn't in, the movie is mostly pleasant with some solid laughs.

There seems to be hugely divided opinion on this one, with Maltin on the side of the naysayers. I'm in the cheering section.If you're looking for some light-hearted, frothy, comedic fare rent the intelligently funny "Once Upon a Crime". With a dynamite cast - Cybill Sheperd, Sean Young, George Hamilton and Richard Lewis - the plot centers around gambling, murder, and a lost dachshund. Filmed in ritzy European locales, including Monte Carlo, the film is beautiful to look at as well as a laugh riot. Belushi and Shepherd as a gambling-addicted American and his long-suffering wife work especially well together; Shepherd in particular shows off her fine comedic skills. George Hamilton puts in a fine cameo as a lubriciously sleazy gigolo. The only drawback for me is John Candy; I can't for the life of me figure out why this guy is considered funny.Ignore what the others say and give this one a shot.