Every now and again, the comic instincts of Steve Martin coincide with the slapstick possibilities of Inspector Clouseau, and the new “Pink Panther” movie scores a laugh.
But these moments are few and far between, and the film feels like a flabby, shapeless package. Martin sounded like the right guy to pick up Clouseau’s trenchcoat and pencil mustache, but even he needs a movie around him.
The “Pink Panther” series began with a pair of 1964 films, “The Pink Panther” and “A Shot in the Dark,” both directed by Blake Edwards and starring Peter Sellers as the bumbling French inspector. Though frequently at each other’s throats, Edwards and Sellers revived the series to great box-office success in the 1970s.
Some ill-considered sequels by Edwards followed Sellers’ death. This new film is not a remake of the first film, but more of a new “origin story” for the character of Clouseau. Sort of like “Batman Begins,” but with an idiot.
Clouseau rises from a deservedly obscure rural posting to head up the investigation of a major Paris murder case – all because Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Kline) wants a boob in charge to make himself look better by contrast.
Clouseau is given a sidekick (Jean Reno) and a secretary (Emily Mortimer). The case is an exceptionally boring story involving a dead soccer coach, the titular jewel, and a pop singer (Beyonce Knowles).
The presence of Beyonce gives Steve Martin the chance to say, “Stop browbeating her! Can’t you see she’s sexy?” Beyond that, she doesn’t seem too comfortable with the whole acting thing.
But let’s face it, the point here is Clouseau and slapstick. (Steve Martin also co-wrote the screenplay, and is presumably responsible for the string of sight gags.) Martin executes one hilarious bit involving a soundproof recording booth, and he does wonders with a pair of vases that gets stuck to his hands, a gag very much in the spirit of the Peter Sellers pictures.
| Too casual: Steve Martin’s comic instincts occasionally strike sparks in this revival of the Peter Sellers character. But this casual movie has a flabby plot and a too-casual approach to slapstick. With Kevin Kline.
Rated: PG rating is for subject matter. Now showing: Alderwood, Everett 9, Galaxy, Marysville, Mountlake, Stanwood, Meridian, Metro, Oak Tree, Woodinville, Cascade, Oak Harbor |
With Martin and Kevin Kline murdering their French accents, you would think there’d be some language jokes, but this doesn’t pay off. Perhaps they were wary of intruding on one of Peter Sellers’ signature shticks.
The problem is that big physical comedy needs a frame to make it work – timing, character, follow-through. Director Shawn Levy, who did “Cheaper by the Dozen” with Martin, doesn’t take the time to set up the big jokes.
There are a few surprises – Clive Owen drops in for one scene, looking suspiciously like James Bond, another 1960s movie icon – but the film’s casual approach makes everything bland out. One surviving gem: the famous Henry Mancini theme music, which momentarily gives the opening cartoon credits the whiff of nostalgia.
Kevin Kline (left), unidentified actor, Steve Martin and Jean Reno in “The Pink Panther.”
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