Clue
The success of Jonathan Lynn’s “Clue” is that it isn’t blatantly set up as a parody in the same way that so many films are. This is much closer to the “Airplane!,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein” vein than the “______ Movie” and “Hot Shots!” variety. This is very much a comedy inspired by “closed door” mysteries like Ten Little Indians, but it has obvious love of the absurdity in the genre that more cynical, vulgar entries in the parody genre do not share.
As we should all know by now, this is based on the popular mystery board game where players try to guess the killer among them by entering rooms, and remembering clues. It’s a fun game to play that has found many fans, and hasn’t ended nearly as many friendships as Monopoly has. Of pretty much any board game that could possibly be made into a movie, “Clue” is the only natural choice, and story writers John Landis and Jonathan Lynn make the most of the source material, such as it is. Like with the game, the movie centers around a group of guests at a dinner party hosted by Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving), who winds up dead. Everyone has motive, everyone has a weapon, and no one can be trusted. Led by Wadsworth the butler (played by the incomparable Tim Curry), we follow along as Col. Mustard, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Professor Plum and Miss Scarlett search the house, and try not to end up on the kill list.
The cast is what has helped this film remain a favorite of those who watched it when it came out 30 years ago, and it’s a certifiable A-list of comedic, and character actor, talent. Curry is hilariously prim and proper as Wadesworth while also making his manic explanations towards the end completely feel at peace with the character. The rest of the cast follows suit, with the peerless Madeline Kahn (and Mrs. White) and Michael McKean (Mr. Green) next in line for MVP status, and Christopher Lloyd (as Professor Plum) not far behind. Eileen Brennan is hilarious as Mrs. Peacock, and Martin Mull is typically, stoically funny as Col. Mustard, while Lesley Ann Warren turns on the smolder, and handles herself effortlessly with the humor, as Miss Scarlett. There’s also a key supporting turn by the voluptuous Coleen Camp as Yvette (the maid) and a funny, straight-laced cameo by Howard Hesseman at the end. There’s a lot of different comedic styles that come through in this film, and Lynn (who also directed “The Whole Nine Yards” and “My Cousin Vinny” after making a great debut here) services them all effortless while also making this absurd mystery compelling on the basic level of old school mystery thriller storytelling. You want a farce of the highest order? Lynn and an amazing cast deliver with a lot of laughs in very little time. Now only one question remains– which ending do you prefer? All three of them are hilarious, but the one where they all did it kills me every time. No, I’m going to go home and sleep with my wife…
