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Oh Some Like It Hot, how I love thee. During the Covid lockdown, it was one of the films we chose for a group watch with my family, and my affection for it grew even deeper. It's an American comedy classic with a legendary director (Billy Wilder) and a stellar cast – Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon – which expertly combines romance, comedy, and music, and delivers so many iconic moments. One of the film's most impressive aspects is its screenplay. The script, which was co-authored by Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond (and based on a screenplay by Robert Thoeren and Michael Logan from 1935 French film Fanfare d'Amour), is razor-sharp and clever, with plenty of witty one-liners and puns.
The movie's plot revolves around two musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), who witness a mob killing and flee to Miami disguised as women in an all-female band. Along the way, they meet Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), the band's lead singer, and both men fall in love with her. As they try to keep their true identities hidden and woo Sugar, they find themselves in all sorts of hilarious situations. Monroe is magnificent in the role of Sugar Kane, playful, sexy and charming, while also bringing a sense of vulnerability to the character that makes her instantly likeable.
Wilder shows off his skill as director, managing to keep the pace brisk and ensuring there's never a dull moment. The film comes alive when the characters get to Miami, with Wilder making excellent use of the lively setting, with its vibrant colours and bustling crowds. The film's dialogue is also a joy, and it's easy to see why Some Like It Hot is considered one of the most quotable films of all time. Curtis and Lemmon both give brilliant performances as Joe and Jerry, their physical mannerisms and vocal inflections doing a convincing job of capturing the essence of femininity, and there's a great chemistry between them.
Some Like It Hot was one of the first mainstream films to tackle cross-dressing and homosexuality, albeit in a comedic way. The film's portrayal of gender roles and sexual identity challenged the norms of the time – it was produced without approval from the Hays Code – and helped pave the way for more progressive attitudes in Hollywood. The code had been gradually weakening in scope since the early 1950s, owing to greater social tolerance for taboo topics on screen, but it remained in force until the mid-1960s. Some Like It Hot's resounding success is considered one of the reasons behind the eventual retirement of the Hays Code. The film also solidified Marilyn Monroe's status as a Hollywood icon, and led to Wilder teaming up with Lemmon and I.A.L. Diamond again to make another fine comedy, 1960's The Apartment.
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