La signora in rosso

I first saw this movie about 18 years ago and found it below average. The main reason for viewing it was may admiration for Gene Wilder after the early Mel Brooks movies... Gene Wilders appearances in The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and, not to forget although not from Mel Brooks, Silver Streak are rightfully and indisputably regarded as masterpieces by now. Compared to these highlights, I actually found The Woman in Red slightly dull.

Watching it on Cable-TV yesterday, i.e. January 2006, I got a completely different impression. I don't know if the difference is just me being 20 years older and more tuned-in with the main character, but now I experienced a warm, enjoyable movie filled with a mild madness I found most appealing. The spirit of the early 80's is very evident, this is not a timeless movie. Nevertheless, I find it more up-to-date with human emotions and behavior than most contemporary attempts in the "daily life comedy" genre.

Finally, if you - just like me - was disappointed by this one twenty years ago, give another try!

Saw this when I was pretty young. I just remember Kelly being gorgeous, and the Pantene lady in a movie. Is it comedy? Not really. It's just a bunch of middle aged guys messing around, but there's Gilda Radner too! Love her. They sort of even out the cheating thing with his wife messing with her daughter's bf. Flirty.

"The Woman in Red" is Gene Wilder's somewhat sloppy comedy that's a remake of the 1977 French movie "Pardon Mon Affaire". Wilder did triple duty on this film. He not only stars but also wrote and directed the picture. As a writer and director, he does a so-so job. This movie has alot of silly moments that are totally preposterous. And it contains a few laughable lines of dialogue. But "The Woman in Red" for the most part is a pretty funny film. Wilder is good as Teddy Pierce, a married man who one day see's a beautiful woman wearing a red dress. After catching a glimpse of this woman, he becomes obsessed with her, and can't get her out of his mind. Wilder gets some good support from an exceptional cast which includes Charles Grodin, Joseph Bolonga, Judith Ivey, Kelly LeBrock (as The Woman in Red), and of course Wilder's late wife, Gilda Radner. "The Woman in Red" ain't a great comedy, but a good one. Only if Wilder had done a better directing job this would have been a great farce.

*** (out of four)

I literally laughed till i cried at this super piece of work. I am a big fan of Gene Wilder, he seems to have a natural ability to make me laugh, so i knew i was in for a good laugh here. I must have seen The Woman in Red about 12 times now over the years and it just keeps getting better. What a shame Gene Wilder doesn't make movies any more, i feel there is no good talent around for comedy these days. It seems to be just young guys who are good looking so people would like them whatever they do. Gene Wilder on the other hand is a comedy legend, not just an actor but a director and writer, he is a man of many talents and i really miss him. Also worth noting about The Woman in Red is the soundtrack by Stevie Wonder, it's so 80's and it just brings me back to those days again. Gene Wilder plays a man seeking adventure in his life and becomes obsessed with the woman in red played by Kelly LeBrock. That's your basic storyline, simple and straight to the point so the laughs begin immediately as Teddy (Wilder) pursues Charlotte (LeBrock) and gets into all kinds of trouble as he chases after the woman in red. Hilarious.

Teddy Pierce (Gene Wilder) works in a San Francisco ad agency and finds himself on a ledge wondering what went wrong. Four weeks previous, he sees the woman in red Charlotte (Kelly LeBrock) doing the Seven Year Itch dance in the parking lot. He tries to make a date with her despite being happily married to Didi (Judith Ivey) with kids. Miscommunication leads to Ms. Milner (Gilda Radner) getting the call who assumes that she's going on the date. His womanizing friend Joey (Joseph Bologna) loses his wife who takes everything. He continues with plans for the affair anyways while the guys Buddy (Charles Grodin) and Mikey take Joey for a night out. He has second thoughts and stands up Ms. Milner while Charlotte doesn't even know who he is.

There is no redeeming Teddy's antics but Gene Wilder gets a few good laughs in. I love Gilda Radner in this when she takes it out on Gene. The movie works best when Teddy gets put down. It doesn't work as much knowing he's lying to his wife. This movie should have more misadventures and hitting Teddy's nuts.