The Man Who Knew Too Little

REVIEW
With its playful titular nod to Hitchcock and a very engaging premise, this spy spoof isn't as much fun as it could have been. Though producing a fair amount of laughs, many of the jokes are stifled; to such an extent that the film gives the impression that only first takes were used for the finished product. Murray plays an American visiting his hot-shot businessman brother (Gallagher) in London. To get rid of him for the evening, Gallagher buys his sibling the hottest theatre ticket in town: "Theatre of Life," in which the audience member becomes part of the play in an unknown, acted-out scenario. Then, Murray is mistaken for a spy, though he thinks it's all part of the show. As the video clerk from Des Moines, Murray is not at his best; but fault must lie with director Amiel, who gives the film a sluggish pace and is unable to excite or inspire his cast.