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Really Surprised!

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Best movie ever!

Shrewd and rumpled veteran CIA operative Miles Kendig (marvelously played with crusty aplomb by Walter Matthau) gets demoted to a dull desk job. Disgruntled with this dismal situation, Kendig decides to strike back by publishing a tell-all memoir that exposes the innermost secrets of several major world intelligence agencies.Director Ronald Neame, working from a witty script by Brian Garfield and Bryan Forbes, relates the enjoyable story at a snappy pace, maintains an engaging tongue-in-cheek tone throughout, makes inspired use of classical music, and pokes wickedly droll fun at basic spy movie formula conventions (the sequence with a bunch of trigger happy agents destroying a house that they think Kendig is hiding in is an absolute riot!). The fine acting by the top-rate cast keeps this film buzzing, with especially stand-out contributions from Glenda Jackson as Kendig's feisty old flame Isobel, Ned Beatty as huffy, bumbling, foulmouthed superior Myerson, Herbert Lom as Kendig's suave and cagey Soviet nemesis Yaskov, Sam Waterston as the easygoing Cutter, David Matthau as the zealous, but inept Ross, and Severn Darden as the corrupt Maddox. The crisp widescreen cinematography by Brian W. Roy and Arthur Ibbetson provides an impressive elegant look. The various globe-trotting locations -- Austria, Germany, England, and so on -- supply a neat sense of scope. However, it's Matthau's utterly amiable shambling grace and wonderfully relaxed natural chemistry with Jackson which in turn gives this picture an extra additional appeal and energy. A total treat.

Maybe this isn't truly a ten, but I'm going with it, because I so badly wish they still made movies like this. An actual clever plot, no extraordinary malice or violence, and likable characters. Sure, this isn't Walter Matthau's strongest movie, but it is still solid and just leaves you feeling good in an uncomplicated way. Also, the chemistry between Matthau and Glenda Jackson works brilliantly and much of the movie is filmed i Europe. What's not to like? I don't have a lot more to add, except that if you are around 50 years or older, you might really enjoy this movie; however, if you are much younger, it may seem too slow and stilted, although I can vouch for the fact that that's really pretty much how life was back then. You young rapscallions probably wouldn't believe it anyhow that the world actually was a much nicer place not too long ago.

I doubt anyone will read this far into the reviews, but for the record I felt I had to contribute. We all of us watch many, many movies, and some of us feel motivated to review some or all of them no matter the quality. I HAD TO REVIEW THIS, despite the fact I seldom bother, for I genuinely feel it was a delight. Previous reviewers will provide the details, and for example, the first review by dbborroughs has it completely right: wholesome, intelligent fun that is so seldom achieved by more "modern" movies that seem compelled to add gratuitous violence, explosions, one-liners, etc. There are shortcomings that could be improved, of course, but in the end they don't matter. The viewer is left with a smile that didn't depend on potty jokes or shock tactics for stimulation. Brilliant. The overall work is a true gem. Enjoy!

The great thing about this film is the nonchalant and natural way the actors have fun with the film. Matthau, Jackson, Waterston, and Beatty all play their parts with great ease and sense of a good time. The problem is that the story is simply too thin and the characters don't evolve. There are many scenes, but they fail to build up any sort of complexity; instead they are basically repeats of the same idea over and over. The characters are given no chance to move beyond their initial (albeit charming) characterizations.Do we know anything about any character after their first scenes? Not really. We're given delightful cartoons and then they are set to work on a plot. Anyway, the film showcases some great talent, but don't expect to remember much a couple of weeks later.