Yet another of the myriad
film-noir spoofs that proliferated during the ’70s, The Cheap Detective is surprisingly underwhelming given its
all-star cast and brand-name writer. Neil Simon, opting for broad farce instead
of his usual domestic dramedy, weaves together storylines and stylistic tropes
from assorted ’40s detective movies, mostly those starring Humphrey Bogart.
Peter Falk stars as Lou Peckinpaugh, a San Francisco private eye who gets
embroiled in a plot that’s a little bit Casablanca,
a little bit Maltese Falcon, and a
little bit of everything else. His partner gets killed, villains search for a
cache of super-sized diamonds, and Lou juggles romantic intrigue with several
dizzy dames. The movie’s gags are so silly that characters have names like
Betty DeBoop, Jasper Blubber, and Jezebel Dezire.
Based on this movie and Neil
Simon’s other noir spoof from the
same era starring Peter Falk, 1976’s Murder
by Death, one gets the impression that Simon was trying to outdo Mel Brooks
at the anything-goes approach to lampooning movie genres, but Simon simply couldn’t
match the inspired lunacy that made Brooks’ spoofs so delirious. By trying to
keep dialogue crisp and plotting rational, Simon’s attempt at this style falls
somewhere between the extremes of proper storytelling and wild abandon. Thus, The Cheap Detective is fluffy without
being truly irreverent and goofy without being truly insane—it’s like a second-rate
Carol Burnett Show sketch, needlessly
extended to feature length. What’s more, the movie is hurt by flat direction,
as TV-trained helmer Robert Moore lacks the ability to generate exciting
visuals.
Yet another problem is the all-over-the-map acting. The most enjoyable
performances, by Falk and supporting players Eileen Brennan, Stockard Channing,
Madeline Kahn, and Fernando Lamas, wink at the audience without tipping into
Borscht Belt excess. The most tiresome turns, by players including Ann-Margret,
James Coco, Dom DeLuise, and Marsha Mason, fall into exactly that trap. (Though
it must be said that Sid Caesar kills during one of the movie’s dumbest scenes,
thanks to his legendary comic timing.) Some actors, however, seem completely
adrift: Louise Fletcher, John Houseman, and Nicol Williamson strive to find
consistent tonalities for their work, apparently receiving little guidance from
Moore or the slapdash script. With this much talent involved, The Cheap Detective has a few bright
spots, but the total package is quite blah.
The Cheap Detective: FUNKY
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