Trois sur un sofa

I just finished watching this movie, it was the first Jerry Lewis film I've seen, and I'm already a fan of this comic genius. Three On A Couch is full of gags from start to finish, constantly keeping the audience laughing with Jerry Lewis' character's attempts to make three women think he's three separate people. Jerry Lewis shows his talent as a comedic actor as he plays all those characters perfectly, but also awkwardly as though he's nervous that he might get found out. And yet the awkwardness is so subtle that it's believable that the ladies don't think something's up. He's also very deadpan in this movie, and at the same time high energy in his gags, much like Charlie Chaplin. So, bravo Jerry Lewis, you put on one heck of a performance.

Although I will admit that some of the jokes didn't work. Some of them went on just a tad too long. Although they don't hurt the movie much. Also one thing I thought the movie should've done was make the three women more developed characters instead of just one-dimensional straight-men. Only one of them showed a personality (the athletic one), the others just seemed to have personalities described but not shown.

Judging by the low score and the fact that it was featured in a book called Fifty Worst Movies (or something like that), I'm guessing this is one of Jerry Lewis' lesser movies. I haven't seen any of his other films so I can't say if Jerry Lewis fans will enjoy this, but I'd definitely recommend it to people who want to watch a really funny movie.

Inane, but not as much so as you expect from Lewis. Jerry even plays a reasonably intelligent and talented character in this one. Absolutely hilarious in many spots, even when gags are being milked. You miss stuff you can't see through the tears! A wonderful movie -- perhaps Jerry's very best!

This is the first and only movie I've seen from Jerry Lewis. He is from before my time and I didn't have great expectations of his comedic abilities. But it was better than I expected. There were moments I really had to laugh and that doesn't happen all to often. Even if not all the scenes are even funny and sometimes irritating long (the farewell party at the office), I must say that Jerry Lewis can be a very funny man.

This is not one of Jerry's best films. It's pretty self indulgent, scenes drag out, some of the humor feels forced and over the top, and the whole concept really doesn't make much sense. It's best at the very beginning, and the final 20 minutes at the party and at the pier are hysterical and it's a great set piece to end the film on. If you love Lewis's work (like I do), stick with it and you'll dig the ending. Another plus, supporting cast is great.

Dr. Acord (played by Janet Leigh), Christopher Pride's fiancee, is a psychiatrist with three attractive female patients who have problems with men, played out in extreme dependence on her. Chris (Jerry Lewis) wants to go on an extended vacation with her. To ease Dr. Acord's conscience in putting a hiatus on their frequent visits, he decides to be a beau to all three at once, with separate fake identities, to rectify their maladjustments. Lewis shows his varied talents for goofiness in playing three different types of people -- actually four, because in one case he also plays the sister, and in this dual role he is goofy at its most extreme, and very funny.

The humor is cornball, but it is enjoyable. Jerry is a klutz -- not in a cheap slapstick way, but rather because he is a man out of place-- a zoologist, a rodeo star, and a fitness nut. But the ladies are each taken, and it is great. A nice syrupy ending too. "Three on a Couch" is a very enjoyable romantic comedy worth seeing.