S.P.Y.S

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.

Look, this movie is a fun romp. Nothing more. Made to poke fun at an America stuck fast in the cold war. To judge it harshly is to not understand the decade it was created in. It's buddy film from the 70s. It's got two great stars in it and its filled with wonderful comedic moments and also some great character performances, too. It's a comedy and comedy is always subjective. Gould is at his smooth hipster best, and Southerland complements him well as the nerdier company-man partner. Watch it and enjoy to guys having fun making a movie in Paris during their heyday in 70s films.

If it were made today it would probably star Will Ferrel and Owen Wilson. And it would probably be just as fun.

Second lead pairing of Elliot Gould and Donald Sutherland (Little Murders saw them together, but with Sutherland in a support role) after the wonderful MASH in what was meant to be some sort of funny spy spoof. Alas, there is no Altmann magic with SPYS and this one sinks like the proverbial stone.

They play a mismatched spy pair who are forced to bond when sold down the river by their various agencies and thereafter chase after some micro-dots. The two still appear to have a kind of improvisational energy, but the material they are dished up to deal with, wouldn't pass muster in an average Get Smart episode. I have to say that I'm surprised the usually very competent direction of Irvin Kershner seems to have gone completely walkabout during the making of this feature. Poorly choreographed and lit action and slapstick scenes! It's difficult to believe this is the same bloke who helmed The Empire Strikes Back 6 years later. SPYS is also lumbered with a terribly annoying musical soundtrack.

In terms of laughs most discerning viewers should find any of the Roger Moore Bond entries much more amusing. And as for spoofs, the later arriving Austin Powers or Johnny English (hell, even the Casino Royale with Peter Sellers) have it all over this clunker. I would love to have been a fly on the wall to see how SPYS was received at Cannes.

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.