La máquina del amor

Basic plot: A couple navy guys figure out a way to use the government's newest super-computer to predict numbers on a roulette wheel at a Venice casino. To do so, they must send signals to and from the computer on a ship in the harbor. The signals are intercepted by an Admiral who misinterprets their meaning. He believes the city of Venice is at risk of falling into enemy hands. Hilarity ensues.

I haven't agreed with a lot of ratings on IMDb recently, but usually, I'm rating films lower than the IMDb average. It's the opposite here. I seem to have enjoyed The Honeymoon Machine (what an unfortunate title) more than most. For me, the comedy worked almost flawlessly. I found myself entertained throughout and actually laughing out loud on several occasions. Comedy is highly subjective, so I realize that what works for me may not work for someone else and vice versa. The comedy here works for me because I found the writing witty and smart and the direction snappy. The movie has a good flow and never for a moment gets dull. It's a fun little movie.

But the real highlight is the acting. If I'm not mistaken, this was Steve McQueen's only comedy. I wish he had done more. He shows outstanding comedic timing. He's joined by a very capable cast that included Jim Hutton, Paula Prentiss, and Brigid Bazlen. I can't say I was familiar with Bazlen, but she really impressed. I'm shocked to see that her filmography is so short. The cast also includes memorable performances from Jack Weston and Dean Jagger. As usual, Weston steals every scene in which he appears. His drunk act may be un-PC today, bit I found it hysterical. As for Jagger, is there anyone who could play an Admiral or a General with the kind of command he exhibited? Really nice performances all away around.

This is the first movie I have ever seen that starred Steve McQueen(and it looks like it won't be the last). I loved this movie because it has that innocent but silly comedy that movies nowadays lack. I have looked for it in all the video stores but can't seem to find it. It is one of those movies that can cheer you up if you feel down. So, I will recommend watching it.

Sure it's a little formulaic, but not deserving of the excoriation which precedes this mini-review. McQueen is just fine in the role, not so much a pure comic character as the fast-talking con-man Lieutenant, rather the sort of the role Tony Curtis used to play. And to keep the record straight, McQueen did other comedies, such as _Soldier in the Rain_, and the semi-comedic _Reivers_.

McQueen comes up with the idea of using a high-speed electronic computer to beat the roulette wheel and enlists Hutton and another sailor into the scheme.

Hutton, as the computer scientist doesn't have much to do, since he can't also play the fast-talking con-man. (And besides, he's a computer scientist!) But he does get to woo Prentiss, who amuses as the beautiful near-sighted heiress who talks to statues.

Weston up on the ledge with the blinker makes for a quite funny interlude as the others have noted.

But McQueen does not deserve the invective heaped upon him by the other reviewers of this film.

In an era when the portrayal of the stumbling drunk hadn't become tragic and offensive, this movie has Jack Weston working his versatile magic with just such a role. He creates some moments of real humor.

McQueen gives it a hard try at being comedic and succeeds much of the time with his own style. Dean Jagger is a great foil for all the madcap goings on. For hot rod T-bucket fans there's Norm Grabowski, so called 'father of the T-bucket', working the on-board blinker.

A lightweight, silly comedy not to be viewed as anything else.

Okay, it didn't win any awards, but it IS funny! Jack Weston is a hoot. Do yourself a favor and watch this. It is just brainless fun!