S*P*Y*S

It's been over 30 years since seeing this movie for the first time, and I can still feel the pain. This ranks right up there on my worst movie of all time list. And I am a Sutherland fan. I actually walked out of the theater the first time...and I was on a date! I recently gave it another try, thinking it couldn't possibly have been THAT bad. Nope. I was right the first time. Again, excruciating to watch. I know that they were probably trying to strike gold again by pairing Gould and Sutherland after they played so well together in MASH, but with a story as stupid as this even they can't pull it off. Do yourself a favor, and just re-watch MASH.

Two CIA agents - the straight laced Bruland (Donald Sutherland) and unorthodox Griff (Elliott Gould) - are on the run from the Russians, the Chinese, and their own boss (Joss Ackland) in Paris. They hide out with revolutionary Sybil (Zouzou) while trying to locate some mircodots that will help get them money to get out of the country. Shot under the title Wet Stuff, 20th Century Fox changed the title to the asterisk-laden one in an attempt to draw on their mega-hit M*A*S*H (1970) with Sutherland and Gould. About the only thing the two films have in common is the shared leads. It is pretty obvious they thought they could skirt on the charm of the leading men, but both are off their game in scene chewing roles (Gould is especially bad). According to an article in Variety, Sutherland and Gould tried to convince the producers to let them switch roles right before shooting started and I don't think that could have saved it. According to an interview with Gould on the DVD, they improvised a lot on the set. It didn't help. This is rough, rough stuff as director Irvin Kershner fails to get even a single laugh. How bad is it? The comedy highlight is Sutherland getting zonked by nerve gas. Apparently the filmmakers thought this was comedy gold as they did it twice. There is also an oppressively bad score by Jerry Goldsmith that hits you over the head with "this be funny" comedy cues like tubas and, good lord, a slide whistle. There appear to have been attempts to salvage the comedy aspect with lots of dubbed in lines, but it never works. A*V*O*I*D!

Unless you're an absolute die-hard fan of Donald and Elliott, then you might be able to tolerate this movie, but I bet everyone involved in it really regretted doing it. Just as much as you'll regret watching it. They certainly have a great chemistry, and there are a few laughs in spite of everything. My favorite scene is the last one, not only because the movie is over but because Elliott Gould and Donald Sutherland's charm together really comes through. A last-ditch attempt to leave the audience with a smile, perhaps.

SPYS is an aggressive laugh out comedy in the tradition of the old "Road" pictures that never really works. It has no real plot so to speak and relies on the chemistry of the lead actors of which there is plenty for its appeal. Wise cracks fly aplenty and barbs of witticism fill the air. This hit movie which was released in 1974 feels like a movie from the 80s. There is a certain fluidity of camera and mis-en-scene that MTV brought to the eighties movies that permeates the aurae of this movie. It feels like a 1985 movie SPYS and the likes that ruled the beat-box era. Laughs ring true after a very strong start but even a plot less seems or needs to deceive the audience into thinking it has a direction. The plot is silly if not confusing and just happens and the french actress Zuzou who was also a popular singer isn't very good. She just complicates matters. In all, not great but the ending is bitter-sweet and sharp on the money. You wish the movie itself had that kind of vive de joie.

this movie is way underrated. i didn't have high expectations from the previous reviews I had read, my rental was based on the sheer fact I wanted to enjoy these two on screen again. however, I was pleasantly surprised and am still thinking about the dialog long after I watched. hilarious banter!!! and the music---if only i could find the song that plays during the credits(after Elliot and Donald are done singing). its awesome!!! My favorite scene is when the chase the dog and confront anyone who the dog runs up to. These guys don't play dumb, and neither does the conversation between them. Plus, there's not-so-bright french anarchists in the movie. now tell me this doesn't sound fantastic!!!!