The Impostors (1998)

December 14, 2022 11:19 AM

Wrongly accused of physically abusing a fellow actor, starving thespians Arthur and Maurice find themselves pursued by the law aboard a cruise ship.

Starring, written, and directed by Stanley Tucci it includes many of the same cast as Big Night. It's a classic farce in the vein of Laurel and Hardy. Ebert gave it 2 stars, but seemed fond of it.

Stay for the dance number during the end credits.

posted by Eddie Mars (3 comments total)

There's an unfortunate cameo by Woody Allen, but he's thankfully in a single short scene.

Most of the film takes place on board a cruise ship that is unapologetically a set and there are various bits around the artificiality of the entire film, including a fun gag involving sub-titles and a mirror.
posted by Eddie Mars at 11:26 AM on December 14, 2022

I thought this was a lot of fun. Like you said, it's VERY Laurel and Hardy. It's also self-aware enough to know that the right audience will be thinking that, and plays that up. Even if the jokes were purposely stupid, it feels like you're in on the them. It's really feels like everyone had fun making it (see aforementioned dance number), which is enjoyable in and of itself.
posted by mrphancy at 1:33 PM on December 14, 2022

This is a love letter to the screwball comedies of the 1930s and early 40s. Takes a little while for the movie to find its footing, but once they stowaway on the cruise ship, it's off to the races (sorry for mixed metaphor, it's early).
posted by basalganglia at 4:30 AM on December 16, 2022