The Woman in Red (1984) User Reviews

Some stuff needs to mature...

[peopeomoxmox · 6/10 · 4 January 2006]

I first saw this movie about 18 years ago and found it below average. The main reason for viewing it was may admiration for Gene Wilder after the early Mel Brooks movies... Gene Wilders appearances in The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and, not to forget although not from Mel Brooks, Silver Streak are rightfully and indisputably regarded as masterpieces by now. Compared to these highlights, I actually found The Woman in Red slightly dull.

Watching it on Cable-TV yesterday, i.e. January 2006, I got a completely different impression. I don't know if the difference is just me being 20 years older and more tuned-in with the main character, but now I experienced a warm, enjoyable movie filled with a mild madness I found most appealing. The spirit of the early 80's is very evident, this is not a timeless movie. Nevertheless, I find it more up-to-date with human emotions and behavior than most contemporary attempts in the "daily life comedy" genre.

Finally, if you - just like me - was disappointed by this one twenty years ago, give another try!

Gene Wilder goes wild!

[jhaggardjr · 7/10 · 6 December 2000]

"The Woman in Red" is Gene Wilder's somewhat sloppy comedy that's a remake of the 1977 French movie "Pardon Mon Affaire". Wilder did triple duty on this film. He not only stars but also wrote and directed the picture. As a writer and director, he does a so-so job. This movie has alot of silly moments that are totally preposterous. And it contains a few laughable lines of dialogue. But "The Woman in Red" for the most part is a pretty funny film. Wilder is good as Teddy Pierce, a married man who one day see's a beautiful woman wearing a red dress. After catching a glimpse of this woman, he becomes obsessed with her, and can't get her out of his mind. Wilder gets some good support from an exceptional cast which includes Charles Grodin, Joseph Bolonga, Judith Ivey, Kelly LeBrock (as The Woman in Red), and of course Wilder's late wife, Gilda Radner. "The Woman in Red" ain't a great comedy, but a good one. Only if Wilder had done a better directing job this would have been a great farce.

*** (out of four)

Take a look at those legs.....

[FlashCallahan · 5/10 · 9 March 2014]

Teddy is a middle-aged man who has a good wife, kids, friends, and a fine job.

You could say that he has everything he wants; but he doesn't.

One day he sees a gorgeous woman in a red dress, and becomes instantly infatuated with the model.

He must have her...

Gene Wilder is one of those actors you could watch reading the phone directory, he's warm, funny, and very convincing. So even when you know he has also written and directed this poor excuse for a film, you cannot help but enjoy it just a little, because he is magnetic on screen.

So he becomes obsessed with Le Brock after she has danced on an air vent.

That's the get up of the whole film, but it cannot decide whether its a spoof of romantic movies, a deprecating parody of promiscuity, or just an all out dumb comedy.

The more serious tones of the film, like marriage break ups and loneliness, do not sit right in the film, and Le Brock proves that she is just a pretty face, she cannot act, and I doubt Seagal gave her lessons.

All In all, it's more of a vanity project for Wilder, making him appear irresistible to a woman, who wouldn't look at another man his age.

At least the soundtrack is good.

Wilder and Wilder...

[Coxer99 · 5 March 1999]

Wilder's best loved comedy. It's nice to see him behind the camera also in this witty picture about a man enthralled by this model of beauty, played sumptuously by LeBrock, only to find that there's more to loving someone than just a great body. Wilder performs some of his finest screwball comedy and is given great support from Grodin, Ivey, Bologna and Gilda Radner. Stevie Wonder's song is also catchy and adds plenty of flavor to a fun romantic-comedy.

In the Bedroom

[caspian1978 · 7/10 · 8 January 2005]

Gene Wilder, Kelly LeBrock and Gilda Radner are the highlights of this great 80's comedy. One of Wilder better comedies of the 80's, it is also one of his funniest. Kelly LeBrock was at the peek of her career, for here, it was all down hill. LeBrock's beauty makes her the treasure of ever guy's desire. For Wilder, he is ready to destroy his life, in a funny way, in order to have her. Gilda Radner is just funny. Every time she is on the screen, she makes you laugh. Her addition to the cast makes everything else funny. A smaller role that what she was use to in previous films, her addition to the cast is beyond perfect. Much like the comedy team of Wilder and Pryor, Wilder and Radner had a great on screen chemistry, that was second to none when it came to comedy (couples) team.

"What It Is!" What It Is Is A Pretty Decent Comedy!

[sddavis63 · 7/10 · 9 March 2012]

Let's be honest. This isn't a movie to take all that seriously, and it has to be evaluated on that basis. It's a bit of a thin storyline revolving around quiet ad executive Teddy's attempt to - well - get it on with the beautiful model Charlotte, in spite of the fact that he's happily married, and that Charlotte seems (at least at first glance) somewhat out of his league. Gene Wilder and Kelly Le Brock are the two main characters in this. Wilder was very good, and there were a lot of amusing scenes for him scattered throughout, and some fun moments of misunderstanding with his office colleague Ms Milner (played by Wilder's real-life wife Gilda Radner.) Even knowing that it's coming I can't help but laugh as Milner keys his car because she thinks he stood her up or sends him careening helplessly down one of San Francisco's hills or as he walks down the hall in his fancy new clothes and high fives a colleague with the words "What it is!" Wilder caught the character of Teddy - strangely drawn to Charlotte and yet knowing that he's a happy guy already with his wife Didi (Judith Ivey) and their daughters, and even as he pursues Charlotte, you can almost see the wheels turning in his head as he asks himself "why?" Le Brock (although playing the title character) was less central to the movie, which really revolved more around Teddy and his guy friends (played by Joseph Bologna, Charles Grodin and Michael Huddleston.) She was fine and certainly didn't detract from the movie at all, although I didn't think her performance was especially powerful either.

The movie is a wonderful length - at 1:26 just perfect for a fun little comedy of no great importance. Not to be overlooked are some wonderful songs performed by Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick. The only part of the movie I really didn't care for had to do with the character of Shelly (Michael Zorek) - the punk boyfriend of one of Teddy's daughters. The character wasn't likable first of all, especially as he groped at Didi, and the character also served absolutely no purpose to the overall story. Aside from that, it is indeed a fun movie. (7/10)

Men behaving badly

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 6 July 2015]

Teddy Pierce (Gene Wilder) works in a San Francisco ad agency and finds himself on a ledge wondering what went wrong. Four weeks previous, he sees the woman in red Charlotte (Kelly LeBrock) doing the Seven Year Itch dance in the parking lot. He tries to make a date with her despite being happily married to Didi (Judith Ivey) with kids. Miscommunication leads to Ms. Milner (Gilda Radner) getting the call who assumes that she's going on the date. His womanizing friend Joey (Joseph Bologna) loses his wife who takes everything. He continues with plans for the affair anyways while the guys Buddy (Charles Grodin) and Mikey take Joey for a night out. He has second thoughts and stands up Ms. Milner while Charlotte doesn't even know who he is.

There is no redeeming Teddy's antics but Gene Wilder gets a few good laughs in. I love Gilda Radner in this when she takes it out on Gene. The movie works best when Teddy gets put down. It doesn't work as much knowing he's lying to his wife. This movie should have more misadventures and hitting Teddy's nuts.

So not today

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 22 January 2014]

Back in 1984, when I was 35, I saw this movie and liked it very much. Watching it this time around, on cable, I almost turned it off after the first 20 minutes. And I began thinking...what was it that I liked about Gene Wilder? What is it about Gene Wilder that makes him seem so much more dated than actors from the 1940s? Ah well. But I didn't turn off the movie, and I was glad I didn't...with a few reservations. First, the reservations. Today we call Gene Wilder's actions in this film "stalking". We call some of the comments and actions by other male characters in the film "sexual harassment". And, Gilda Radner all but disappears halfway through the film. But worst of all, this film has to have one of the lousiest endings in cinema history. Does his marriage live or die? Very unsatisfactory.

However, the movie also has its redeeming facets. A dignified gay character at a time when that was rare in American cinema. Some sentimental snippets about what friendship really is (along with some about what friendship isn't).

The actors here are interesting, if not good. Gene Wilder was Gene Wilder; nothing new there; pleasant on screen. Kelly LeBrock as the super model; well, a rather short film career with little real depth. Gilda Radner was fun. Charles Grodin, whom I never saw as a "real" actor, comes off nicely here as the gay character that manages to hang onto straight friendships; Grodin was always a pleasant man to see on screen. Joseph Bologna...well, difficult to like the role, but he played it well. Judith Ivey as Wilder's wife...perhaps the best acting in the film.

Dated, very imperfect, disappointing...but still worth a watch...one more time.

An Affair To Forget

[slokes · 2/10 · 13 May 2015]

Light comedies look like the easiest things to make when they work, but when they don't, it's more like quantum physics on acid. Take this 1984 sex farce.

Teddy Pierce (Gene Wilder) is a happily married ad man in San Francisco who goes gaga when he catches a glimpse of a beautiful model (Kelly LeBrock) in racy undies. With the help of some friends, Teddy works around the suspicions of his wife (Judith Ivey) and the anger of a spurned co-worker (Gilda Radner) to arrange a furtive rendezvous with the object of his desire.

Best remembered today for the film debut of the bodacious LeBrock and a soundtrack that featured Stevie Wonder's hit song "I Just Called To Say I Love You," this is a movie that aims low and still misses. Wilder, who wrote and directed, presents a comedy that is not only not funny, but so tonally off as to become uncomfortable to watch.

Take the scenes with Radner. One of the great comedic talents of her time, Radner's wasted here as the butt of humor as mean as it is nonsensical. We see her as a love-starved crone being duped by bad luck into thinking Teddy wants to get romantic with her, only to find he doesn't. This drives her to inflict vengeance on him and his helpless car. Why does Teddy put up with this, rather than take it up with her or with HR?

You might answer that it's because this is a farce, but elsewhere "The Woman In Red" is played much more dramatically, too much so. Two of Teddy's male friends undergo crises involving romantic partners that are played very seriously, and developed in a heavy- handed way by Wilder that threatens his largely jokeless comedy. Or was I supposed to be laughing when Joseph Bologna has a nervous breakdown after discovering his wife and kids left him?

Wilder is only a little more successful working on Teddy's home life, as when Teddy discovers his wife keeps a revolver around the house and admits to being easily jealous.

"You realize you might have shot me?" he tells her after her gun accidentally goes off.

"I would never do that," she answers. "Not without a reason."

There are also little side bits that never make any sense, like a daughter's boyfriend who sports an aggressive Mohawk hairdo and makes clumsy passes at Teddy's wife, or a destructive and pointless gag Teddy's friends play at a fancy restaurant. These don't connect to the main story, and they aren't funny on their own.

At one point, we discover Teddy's wife hosts a diet clinic in their home for reasons that are never explained. The entire purpose of this seems to be to provide Wilder with an excuse for some physical humor, walking through a thick crowd of people in his character's living room while an instructor drones on about something called "the Alphabet diet:" "You have to watch yourself carefully because by the time you get to 'P,' you might put on all the weight you lost on 'K,'" she tells them.

And what of LeBrock's character, Charlotte? As male fantasy object, she certainly works for me. Yet except for one scene in an elevator with Charles Grodin (playing one of Teddy's friends), she never breaks out of that to develop any comic identity or dramatic interest.

Wilder's performance alternates between goofy and wan; he was in an odd period in his career after some fantastic comedic performances over the prior 15 years apparently left him with no more mountains to climb. He seems tired and disengaged here, adding to the weight of a very labored film.

Funny fluff, though still mostly fluff

[DBroda · 6/10 · 22 May 1999]

Wilder's in good form, though neither he nor the material is up to the level of the great Mel Brooks troika (The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein). The supporting cast (including the greatly missed Mrs. Wilder, Gilda Radner) is strong. Kelly LeBrock's not winning any acting awards, but her woodenness isn't a real problem with he "fantasy-idol" role here. And any film with a Stevie Wonder theme song ("I Just Called to Say I Love You") has to get bonus credit.

No matter how you slice it, it comes up tacky!

[mark.waltz · 3/10 · 3 December 2012]

While this is an American film version of a foreign film, it seems more to be a rip-off of "10". Married Gene Wilder spots a beautiful woman (Kelly Lee Brock) and becomes obsessed with her. He basically spends 90 minutes humiliating himself, leading on a needy secretary (Gilda Radner, totally wasted), and making excuses to his devoted wife (Judith Ivey). Radner tries to be funny with her "Fatal Attraction" like revenge, but the material betrays her. Some good shots of mid 80's San Francisco and a series of pleasant songs by Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick (including the Academy Award Winning "I Just Called to Say I Love You") help make this a slight bit more tolerable, but the humor is juvenile, the set-up beyond believable, and the script (by Wilder) dull. A scene with one of Wilder's workers pretending to be blind in a restaurant and destroying it is a pale imitation of the similar scene in the W.C. Fields classic "It's a Gift" and totally out of place.

As for LeBrock, she is certainly eye catching in the garage scene wearing the titular red dress, but is a beautiful block of ice otherwise. Wilder is a talented comic, but he seems to be holding back (strange considering he was directing himself speaking his own dialog!) and is definitely missing the partnership that shown on screen for him with Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor in previous ventures. Radner, one of the funniest women since Lucy, deserved much better in the few films she made, and her presence is a total missed opportunity. Ivey would fare better on stage and in later character roles where she was truly able to let herself go. Joseph Bologna and Charles Grodin are even more wasted as Wilder's cronies. With talent like this, you expect so much more.

Yo, what's with the lousy ratings?

[RNMorton · 10/10 · 22 November 2000]

There's a lot of things going for this movie: 1) Great, great Stevie Wonder musical score; 2) Gene Wilder in real romantic distress, and 3) first class ensemble work involving Gilda Radner, Joseph Bologna, Judith Ivey, Charles Grodin and others. Each of four very close friends encounters extra-relationship entanglement, film centers on Wilder's infatuation with much younger model LeBrock. The real fun is in the interaction between and among Wilder's friends, a truly enjoyable experience. Lots of negative comments here on IMDb related to "the original" movie (which I haven't seen) - I think it's only fair to judge this one on its own merits. I could watch this movie 20 times, in fact, I HAVE watched this movie 20 times. With apologies to all the bashers I give it 10 out of 10.

THE WOMAN IN RED (Gene Wilder, 1984) ***

[Bunuel1976 · 7/10 · 24 January 2010]

Gene Wilder's third (and penultimate) film as star-director is also his most consistent effort – albeit one that was a remake of a successful French original, i.e. Yves Robert's PARDON MON AFFAIRE (1977). Wilder ideally casts himself as a happily-married advertising agent whose chance 'encounter' with the stunning title character (portrayed by débutante Kelly LeBrock, a former model and future Mrs. Steven Seagal!) in an underground parking-lot thrusts him into a frenzied, amusing series of amorous complications. Aiding Wilder in his clumsy extramarital travails are his three buddies – gay Charles Grodin (his 'blind man routine' is side-splitting), married but perpetually horny Joseph Bologna and rotund Michael Huddleston – all of whom have their own sentimental troubles to contend with. To makes matters worse for Wilder, ugly duckling office colleague Gilda Radner mistakes his attentions for Le Brock to have been intended for her and goes through several physical and emotional changes in her quest to please her 'man' and, after realizing her error, hilariously takes sweet revenge on the understandably bewildered {sic} Wilder. Complimenting all the above quite nicely is Stevie Wonder's song score that, not only features duets with Dionne Warrick, but is highlighted by the Oscar-winning "I Just Called To Say I Love You".

Gene Wilder was no Mel Brooks

[vonnoosh · 4/10 · 9 August 2022]

But he tried in the 80s to be a comedy director instead of a comic actor. Wilder proves in this movie and Haunted Honeymoon to not be a good judge of how to get the best comedy out of his cast. Instead, these performers get more caught up in bringing only their characters to life instead of being funny while doing it. Gilda Radner's performance is subject to this problem here. I always thought Radner's strengths as a performer involved her ability to bring some spontaneity to the roles she played but nothing she does here feels spontaneous, it all feels forced. If she had the type of leeway Robin Williams always had, her character would be genuinely funny instead of trying to be funny while pretending to not be. Maybe there was not much respect for her talent which is a shame considering her then boyfriend and future husband was directing her in this.

The same problem seems to be shared with the entire cast who is there to be funny EXCEPT Gene Wilder who is left trying to carry the entire comedy because of his own failings as a director. He had talent around him, why not use it? One of the best remembered comedies from the 80s was The Burbs, that movie had alot of improvisation included out of necessity (writers' strike). This movie would have benefited from that instead of Wilder tryi g to be mastermind of it all. As I said, he is no Mel Brooks who was initially a renowned comedy writer like Woody Allen's initial claim to fame in the 50s. That history shows in their work, Gene Wilder never had that background and this movie proves it.

Enjoyable and Crazy Comedy!

[sixstringscouser · 12 October 2001]

I first seen this movie years ago and really liked it, and now after checking it out again, it still has that magic. It also includes a fine cast of stars. Gene Wilder is pretty funny in this. There are plenty of gags too. But, unlike most comedy films, there is a decent and enjoyable storyline included as well. So I'd say there's something for everyone in this movie. It's romantic, funny, engaging and damn right crazy at times! Check it out! 8/10

It's really a good film. Kelly LeBrock is great under the circumstances

[swoonedd · 7/10 · 17 December 2021]

I really like this film. Lots of comedy affair type movies. It's a great story to watch. Are women this forward!? I'm missing something.

Yes, Kelly LeBrock is really attractive, and just so cool. Great lips, but it's how she speaks that is really beautiful. The modelling shots stuck. The hairstyles are terrible. How did anyone get away with those?

Getting to the love scene is really not good. Let's the rest of the movie down, but I guess the fait pais was necessary for antics that happen.

I love how Kelly LeBrock speaks. Classy. Few people speak like this.

A fun '80s comedy

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 31 October 2019]

As this film opens Theodore 'Teddy' Pierce is sitting on a ledge high above the ground; he tells us how up until four weeks ago we wouldn't have looked at a woman other than his wife. The film goes onto how he came to be where he is now. One day he sees a beautiful woman in a red dress walk over a grate; the draught blows up her skirt and she has a little dance... he is immediately smitten. Later Teddy tries to get together with her but events seem to conspire to keep him from her; whether it is accidentally phoning the wrong woman to arrange a dinner date or trying to impress her with his non-existent horse-riding skills.

This comedy is a lot of fun, not too surprising given that Gene Wilder is not only playing Teddy but also wrote the screen play and directed. It may be about a man's desire to commit adultery but it feels surprisingly innocent; it is more that he wants a bit of excitement in his life than wanting to betray his wife. Similarly there isn't much to offend; a little swearing and some 'blink and you miss it' nudity but that is about it. There are lots of laughs to be had; many provided by Teddy's group of friends... the scene where one of them. Pretending to be blind wreaks havoc in a restaurant is priceless. Gene Wilder is on fine form as Teddy, he makes the character likeable despite what he is doing; Kelly Le Brock looks stunning as Charlotte, the eponymous woman in red, one can see why Teddy fell for her! The rest of the cast are solid too. Also notably is the soundtrack which features several songs by Stevie Wonder. Overall I'd say this is a fun '80s comedy; definitely worth watching if you are a fan of the genre.

Come and get it cowboy!

[moviebuff72-223-265524 · 7/10 · 1 July 2023]

The Woman In Red has its moments. It is definitely not for children. If this came out today it would be R.

Kelly LeBrock was so pretty. If you take it as is then it works. A average looking male chasing a gorgeous woman who both are married and are not happy Enough with what they have. It's rather believable.

The guy goes through great lengths to get her. The ending is fine. I mean it's a comedy not a drama, musical, horror, sci-fi, or martial arts picture.

Marriages fail for so many reasons. This movie shows us that if our partner neglects us or has feelings for others that this is the all too often outcome.

I'm not saying it's right but it happens too often these days. I recommend this film. It's no blazing saddles or young Frankenstein but better than stir crazy.

Disappointed with DVD

[lilybear5923 · 7/10 · 21 February 2003]

I like this movie - it was supposed to have been released on DVD over a year

ago and for some reason this didn't happen. So, when I found out it had finally come out I was glad to be able to buy a copy. My only disappointment was the

fact that some of the music had been changed for the DVD release - perhaps

that was why it wasn't released earlier. At the end was supposed to be Stevie Wonder's I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU played over the end credits -

but now only a brief portion is actually heard. This is too bad because it really suited the storyline. This has happened to other releases on VHS & DVD as well - most notably the

home release of Walter Mathau and Elaine May in A NEW LEAF - which on the

VHS version that I bought had the background music totally changed. That's the one complaint that I have in home release versions of movies

released originally for theater viewing is that they fail to keep the same music and cuts.

Gene Wilder, Again

[Hitchcoc · 5/10 · 25 July 2009]

This has an interesting premise, but those who made it couldn't take it seriously. Gene Wilder does his usual shy, reserved, should-I-or-shouldn't-I cutey. He and his juvenile muchachos act like children. He becomes obsessed with a woman in red whom he sees dancing over a heat grate. The movie is more about his mid life crisis (same old stuff) and how he maintains his status among these guys. He has the attractive wife, the adorable kids, and finds himself escaping an inevitable crash. It just doesn't work. Given a serious treatment and Wilder's acting ability, it could have been fairly nice. We are left to sort things out and hope for the best.

Sometimes one's worst nightmare is the dram that ckmes thrue

[rogerhwerner · 7/10 · 1 July 2021]

After a certain number of years being married perhaps it's natural for the mind and eyes to wander. It's happened to me on more than one occasion and I'm sure I'm hardly unusual. It's certainly less than easy to extricate ones self gracefully when the woman makes the advances, espe ia,ly when an awful lot of men seem governed by their genitalia instead of their mind (and heart). I can more than sympathize with poor Teddy. He gets his fondest wish, only to discover that the wish has many unanticipated consequences. Achieving these consequences makes for very funny cinema! Kelly Le Brock is breathtaking and the music is lovely!

Funny as cancer, maybe even heart disease

[RalphNumbers · 1/10 · 14 December 2008]

The fine line between comedy and tragedy is on display in this picture. This is a truly vile film. Comedy? Not even close. The message of this film is that everybody's a lying cheat and will never learn from their mistakes. A truly tragic pronouncement.

Maybe the language barrier affected this adaptation of its French source material. The cultural insulation films receive by way of subtitles might have made this sad mess hysterical. Find a print in which the actors speak Mandarin with English subtitles and let me know whether it's zany, OK? Never knew an alleged comedy could be so depressing.

Drastically Underrated movie

[dsharp-4 · 8/10 · 11 February 2007]

TWIR is a classic in a way that many others claim to be...but aren't. As a comedy I don't think it has you bending over in fits of laughter, but there are some great scenes in there. Kelly Le Brock's character remains one of the hottest characters even to grace the screen. She was simply gorgeous and a knockout - a perfect fit for the role.

The combination of great soundtrack courtesy of Stevie Wonder, the wonderful acting of Wilder, and the indescribable beauty of Le Brock form a powerful combination that helps explain why people are still watching this flick today - 23 years on!!

I'd like to hear from those who gave it low votes - just what was missing from the film that you wanted to see?

Not bad, but ...

[deedee666 · 6/10 · 12 February 2020]

For me this is a remake and not an adaptation. It's not bad at all but I still prefer the original (un elephant ça trompe énormément). Gene Wilder being as good as he is should have taken the concept of the original but not copy it entirely. I mean every scene is an exact copy of the original. All countries take movies from other countries and remake them but forget to add that little touch from their own country and culture, wich then makes it an adaptation and not a remake. And that's why it usually isn't as good as the original in my opinion.

I'm sure there are a few exceptions where remakes are better than the original one but this is not the case.

Gene Wilder is very very funny and if this remake was made by someone else most people wouldn't even have seen it or even liked it.

If you haven't already, watch the original and the sequel, because yes there is a sequel. Pardon Mon Affaire and Pardon Mon Affaire, Too ;)

JEER - (2 stars out of 10)

[BJG-Reviews · 2/10 · 18 April 2023]

The stage curtains open ...

Ted: "Do you realize you could've shot me?" Didi: "I would never do that ... not without good reason!"

"The Woman in Red" (1984) starring Gene Wilder, Kelly LeBrock, Gilda Radner, and Charles Grodin is a film that does not live up to the promise of its music, previews, talent, or poster. What a disappointment, what a complete letdown. I never did see this one back in the day. I do remember the #1 smash hit, "I Just Called To Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder. In fact, it has always been my favorite song by him - it did win an Academy Award, and was huge internationally, AND it was Stevie Wonder's biggest hit. But, the movie it came out of was a terrible mess.

The film starts with Ted Pierce (Wilder) up on the ledge of a large motel wearing a bathrobe. You really don't know why he is up there. Is he suicidal? We follow along as he himself questions why he is up on that ledge and he recounts the events that led him to that moment in his life. It all started with a beautiful woman, a model named Charlotte (LeBrock), a woman in a red dress who catches Ted's eye. Ted - a man who is happily married with kids, content in his job, and with a good life. He finds himself willing to take risks that he know he shouldn't in an effort to spend time with Charlotte, maybe even to the point of infidelity - even though his friends are suffering in their own marriages and relationships for straying. Instead of learning from their mistakes, he takes the plunge, no matter the consequences, to be with the woman in red.

As I mentioned, for some reason, this one flew underneath the radar with me for all of these years, and this evening, I decided to finally watch it. I wasn't missing much. I did love the music, and Kelly LeBrock, in her first starring role, stole every scene she was in simply by having the camera on her. Despite Wilder's best attempts at comedy, everything was clumsy and stilted. I think they had more fun making this film, than anyone did actually watching it. It was not that well reviewed, and for good reason.

Gene Wilder also served as the film's director, and it fails on that level too. The only few good things that came out of it for me was watching Kelly LeBrock in the movie that got her noticed and propelled her to bigger and better roles later. The soundtrack was great featuring music by Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick. And it was the 2nd of three movies that Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner worked on together. I cannot recommend this movie. It is one of the worst films with Gene Wilder I've ever seen. Actually, it is THE worst film with Gene Wilder I've ever seen. It gets a lowly 2 stars out of 10. Even for late night, "I don't care what I see" viewing, it fails.