The Woman in Red (1984)

Directed by Gene Wilder. Starring Gene Wilder, Charles Grodin, Judith Ivey, Kelly LeBrock, Joseph Bologna, Michael Huddleston, Gilda Radner, Kyle T. Heffner. [PG-13]

Mild sex farce based on the French film Pardon Mon Affaire (aka, An Elephant Can Be Extremely Deceptive, which is a more interesting title than either version deserves). Timid advertising agency exec and married man Wilder catches a glimpse of sexy LeBrock getting her red skirt blown up Marilyn Monroe-style and decides he must have her. Amusing at times, with a few memorable moments (e.g., Wilder’s stunned reactions while visiting his grandmother, Grodin’s tasteless and destructive blind pantomime, etc.), but unevenly paced and saddled with too many dull or unappealing episodes to encourage commitment. LeBrock’s film debut (as a model playing the part of a model, she’s certainly photogenic enough), but Radner, who would marry Wilder shortly after this film’s release, is wasted as usual in a rather throwaway role. Stevie Wonder’s soundtrack includes the Oscar-winning “I Just Called to Say I Love You”; please refer to Jack Black’s comments from High Fidelity for all that needs to be said about that.

40/100