Torero malgré lui

I think this is one of Peter Sellers' best movies, along with "Dr. Strangelove...", "Only Two Can Play," "Two-Way Stretch," "A Shot in the Dark," "After the Fox," and of course the original Pink Panther...

Sellers is charmingly funny and Britt Eklund is deliciously stunning, and perfect for her role as a femme fatale who toys with men only to succumb to Sellers' rather pathetic efforts at courtship.

There are a number of creative and funny scenes but the "Hermitage" restaurant scene during Sellers' and Eklund's first "date" is especially maginative and hilarious...not to be missed.

Not a shoot-'em-up, but a rather lovely film with a great cast and great production values.

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.

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 Barcelona, Olimpia Segura (Britt Ekland) is a materialistic girl obsessed with a new Maserati. Struggling bullfighter Juan Bautista (Peter Sellers) arrives in town looking to be the greatest singing matador.

Comedians often construct new characters. That's what Peter Sellers is doing. It's a new construction and it's not funny. Ok! The torn cheque is a little funny. Quite frankly, Olimpia is more compelling. It doesn't mean that I want a whole movie about her manipulating all those men for her car. When the two actually meet, it has some intriguing potential but I don't see Olimpia not asking for cash instead. She wouldn't be fooled like that. She would at least demand some sort of down payment. I do like the dancer. She probably does the most compelling performance in the whole movie. It's really cool. Obviously, the Retreat is meant to be wacky fun but I just couldn't believe that Olimpia wouldn't see through Juan. The premise falls apart. I like the blue although I would want her to do it without the gun. All in all, I don't buy the premise but I do like a few moments.

As a lifelong Peter Sellers fan, I've seen this movie a few times even though I know the letdown is coming at the end. I'm always lured back by Sellers' performance here, proving once again he was one of the greatest actors in all the world. He plays Juan Bautista, a traveling singing matador who attempts to seduce the local flirt/bitch of Barcelona in exchange for a gig at the local theater. It is one of his most charming, touching, beautifully subtle performances ever, as the film takes you along their unusual courtship until he finally melts her heart and wins her over. At the point, the story takes an unexpected turn that is so shocking and so patently unfunny and so vile, I can't imagine what anyone connected with the film was possibly thinking when they made it. I am no sucker for happy Hollywood endings, but the end to this movie is so out-of-step with what we've just seen in the last ninety minutes that it just spoiled the whole thing for me. I still rate it as the worst movie ending of all time. As far the rest of it, Sellers and then-wife Britt Ekland (who never looked better) have some lovely scenes; their first date at a nightclub that features flamenco dancing really stands out. With a different finale, this could have been a rare gem in the Peter Sellers catalogue. As it is, it's just OK. 2 1/2 ** out of 4