A Flea in Her Ear

Rex Harrison is miscast as a barrister in Paris who's been lax in the sack lately with his wife; after receiving some evidence that he's visited the local No Tell Hotel, she sets up a rendezvous between herself as an admirer and her possibly-unfaithful husband. What with randy men exhausting their women, plus a revolving bed and Harrison in a second role as a portly porter, this had the ingredients for a kicky romp; unfortunately, director Jacques Charon hasn't the knack to keep our fancies fulfilled (imagine this scenario with Clive Donner or Richard Lester at the helm!). Funny dialogue early on in this adaptation of Georges Feydeau's play "La puce à l'oreille" ("The Flea in Her Ear") by John Mortimer, who had already translated the play in 1967 as a television movie in the UK. Whimsical title song composed by Bronislau Kaper and Sammy Cahn, and performed by Claudine Longet. *1/2 from ****

I really wish that I could say something positive about this film.Despite a stellar cast and directed by Jacques Charon who, as a luminary of the Comedie Francaise should, one assume, have been steeped in the tradition of French farce, this effort is truly lamentable. An acute source of embarassment to all concerned. Its sheer awfulness defies belief. I beg you all to forget this travesty and see 'Occupe-toi d'Amelie' of Claude Autant-Lara to appreciate how Feydeau should be done.

"A Flea in Her Ear" is a comedy set in Paris during the same era in which "Gigi" was set...and it even has Louis Jourdan playing one of the supporting roles. Unfortunately, the similarity between the pictures pretty much ends there, as "A Flea" is a rather tiresome comedy with a lot of energy but very, very few laughs.

The story is about Mr. and Mrs. Chandebisse (Rex Harrison and Rosemary Harris). The pair are rich and have everything to be happy about...though Mrs. Chandebisse is so worried that her husband is having an affair that she is too preoccupied to have her own affairs! He has shown some serious ennui regarding her...but he still adores her and is not cheating nor does he have any intention. Mrs. Chandebisse comes up with a stupid plan to PROVE her husband is cheating and has her friend pen a racy letter to Mr. Chandebisse...and when he shows up for this supposed rendezvous, she can catch him in the act. It all turns into a crazy free for all when the friend's husband recognizes her handwriting and swears to kill her lover. What's next? I really didn't care.

When the funniest story element is a guy without a palate who talks strangely, then you know you're in for a long and bumpy ride. Not only is it gross to feature this guy for laughs....but it isn't funny either. Nor is the joke about rape! A film with lots of energy and very, very few laughs.

The costumes and special effects help make this fun -- the bright purple and green pastels make it look like a technicolor explosion.... IMDb says its Panavision. Lots of slapstick humor and mis-understandings, the typical bedroom farce. ( I LOVE the couple eating a full dinner in bed! ) Rex Harrison plays Victor Chandebisse, this coming just after My Fair Lady and Doctor Doolittle, so he was probably ready for something less intense. Of course, his NEXT film would be Staircase.... which was something MUCH more different. Watch it if you can catch it. Also Louis Jourdan on the prowl. I didn't really know Rosemary Harris (plays Mrs. Chandebisse); it looks like she was nominated for an Oscar in 1995! was also in the Spiderman films. This fun film runs like an episode of Three's Company, but everyone is having a good time, and its a great way to spend an hour and a half. Complete with a nephew with a speech impediment, and appearances by foreigners. I don't usually like period pieces, but this one is quite enjoyable. Directed by French director Jacques Charon.

If movies are supposed to be entertaining, this one rates at the top. It is lighthearted, and a delight from beginning to end. I'm not sure what the message is, but few movies have the ability, as this one did so well, to brighten my day -- several days, in fact. It is bright, light, and cheerful, with just enough attention to human foibles to help it ring true -- if anything so cheerful could accurately reflect more than a little reality. Only superb. excellent, marvelous. Possibly it would be a little better if longer. For me, this is one of the best examples of the filmmakers art. For those in search of a little fun, I couldn't recommend it more highly. See it.