L'extravagante Madame Pollifax

I've been inspired by this film for 17 years now, and I keep going back to watch it. It also motivated me to read most of the books in the Mrs. Polifax series, and when I did, I learned that this film was a combination of plots from two different books. Angela Lansbury provided another stunning, high-quality performance as Mrs. Polifax, in a more edgy and modern context than in her role as Jessica Fletcher on Murder She Wrote. However, Mrs. Polifax is in keeping with Angela Lansbury's persona as a strong and independent female character in search of justice and truth, though this time in a world of spies with competing ambitions and international intrigue. I'm just disappointed that this film didn't turn into a longer series based on the books.

Good Sunday afternoon entertainment but not a classic movie in any sense of the word LOL!.

Takes itself, and the actors take themselves just enough tongue in cheek, and with just enough comedy.

Some of the accents are truly (deliberately?) chronically bad!

Some clever unique dramatic content.

(e.g. Love the way CIA bosses conversation with his deputy was split and misunderstood as they climbed the stairs and his deputy did not understand).

Relax and watch it.

Ed Bishopand plays very straight and well while Angela Lansberry also carries the movie well... Easy to follow the characters. Not read the book which is apparemtly very different. The rewrite seems very creditable to me!

Based on the books by Dorothy Gilman this movie tells the story of an old lady who gets into the spying business. By a funny coincidence Mrs Pollifax becomes an undercover agent for the CIA. Her mission is to get some important documents from Morroco; while pretending to be an ordinary tourist. Things get out of hand when Mrs Pollifax gets kidnapped by a terrorist group. And that's not the only challenge she will face.

The storyline isn't really all that great, and there are some coincidences and plot holes; but the performance of Angela Lansbury as the adorable Mrs. Pollifax definitely makes this movie worth your while.

9 out of 10.

I loved this movie. Although Angela Lansbury is not the Jessica Fletcher we know, she plays a similar role and is unrelenting in her endeavor to resolve this mystery. It is very interesting to see how her dream of being a government agent is realized through a comedy of errors. It is sometimes hard to determine who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. Is he trying to help Mrs. Polifax or help her out of his way? You eagerly await the end of the movie to find out what the plot is and who is involved in the evil deeds. A good drama/mystery that keeps you in suspense and sitting on the edge of your seat until the end of the movie.

According to IMDB, "The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax" was likely a pilot episode for a TV series that never materialized. It's a shame, as it would be a cute idea for a TV show.

Mrs. Pollifax (Angela Lansbury) is a bored elderly widow. After her doctor recommends she develop more hobbies, she decides to try to get a job...as a spy for the CIA! The Bureau has no intention of hiring her but through a mistake she IS sent off on an assignment in Morocco! And soon she's drawn into the world of international terrorism! And, she has some amazing instincts for an amateur and MIGHT just survive this crazy assignment.

The show works well because it's all tongue in cheek...as much a comedy as a drama. And, Ms. Lansbury is wonderful in the title role. Well worth seeing and quite a bit different from the original Mrs. Pollifax movie with Rosalind Russell.