Bobo ist der Größte

If you like Britt Ekland, this is for you, she's the main character in this film. Sellers is a supporting character, he's in and out, almost a supporting character, but his charm is still very much felt. The chemistry between them is palpable and sweet, although this is their last pairing together. There is nothing Sellers can't play, he's a human chameleon, if you're a fan, this is a gem. The story is nutty and the dialog is nuttier but it has heart and soul. It's a fun watch, with not many laughs. It's not a zany story or filled with hijinks, but in these movies, the people are sweet and genuine, and everyone gives it their all. I'm sure the blue paint on Sellers was uncomfortable but that's the tenacity he has, he delivers.

In order to get a booking in Spain as a "singing matador", Peter Sellers must first spend an hour alone with ravishing Britt Ekland, the local tease who has developed a bad reputation-in-reverse due to the fact she spurns all the men who desire her. Screenwriter David R. Schwartz adapted his own play, which began as the novel "Olimpia" by Burt Cole, but he seems to have left out the heart of the story. Sellers and Ekland (real-life marrieds at the time) are both good, though neither has much of a character to play. The low-keyed film is so restrained, it may confound viewers hoping for a European farce. There are minor compensations: some of Peter's shtick, including a pantomime bit on the street, is funny, also the affected way Sellers pronounces "Barcelona". The sight-gag in the final act is successfully rendered, and Francis Lai contributes a beautiful bossa nova score. Still, the picture never really takes off, remains a rather glum and meandering vehicle for its star. ** from ****

Although many film critics are very quick to pan this film citing that is not 'classic Sellers', this film is indeed very charming. The story is to do with a young woman called Olympia, played by Peter Seller's wife at the time, Britt Ekland. Set in Barcelona, Olympia is the object of every man's desire and she has been responsible for the ruining of many a man. Enter Peter Sellers as Juan Bautista, the singing matador. His dream is to be the most famous stage performer in Barcelona. But to achieve this, his prospective employer sets him a challenge. If he spends one night in bed with Olympia, the first man to do so, he will make him a stage star. Juan takes the challenge but has only 3 days to do it. The film is reasonably funny in the methods that Juan uses to seduce Olympia. Sellers gives a very confident performance which makes it fun to watch. There is also an excellent scene with non-cliched flamenco dancing, which is actually so exceptional it seems so out of place in the film. This is not a classic film, however it will keep you entertained on a boring day.

There isn't much about the movie other than it was pretty much sub-par for Mr. Sellers. However what I did find interesting was the Spanish dance sequence in the middle of the movie. I don't know who the dancer was, but obviously one of great talent. As far as I'm concerned it was the only thing worth watching in the whole movie but it was bad for the movie itself. This exceptional dancer filmed in such artistic form was absolutely thick with raw sensual energy and when they cut away from her to the two Bobo's the movie's lack of substance was painfully obvious. From that point on Sellers and Ekland seem shallow and amateurish.

THE BOBO will undoubtedly disappoint those expecting Peter Sellers to be doing Clouseau-style slapstick, and those that expect the satirical humor he was also famous for.

Instead, this is a character comedy and Juan Bautista (not Batista)is one of Sellers' more interesting characters, albeit from among his lesser efforts. But even lesser Sellers is better than the overall product from today's so-called comedy geniuses.

BOBO was well-made, with a great opening sequence aerial shot of Barcelona, Spain (although I believe the picture was made in Italy). The plot involves Sellers as Bautista, an ex-matador who wants to break into show business in Barcelona, but can't seem to get a theater booking. He finally is promised one if - and only if - he can conquer a rather cold-hearted gold digger named Olimpia Segura (played by Britt Ekland, Mrs. Sellers at the time).

There are some good comedy bits and sequences throughout the film. Bautista's attempts to audition for the theater owner are amusing (and unless I'm mistaken, Sellers does his own singing). He does some matador maneuvers while pretending a sportscar is a bull. The scenes at the hideaway-retreat are very good. Later, he gets dunked in a tub of blue dye and becomes "The Blue Singing Matador".

Sellers (Bautista) and Ekland (Olimpia) work well together in the only time they were paired romantically on screen. Added to which, the picture does not end the way that most people think it will. On my own Sellers scale of five stars, THE BOBO ranks three stars.