The Ipcress File

"I like birds best." Palmer

☆☆☆☆☆ Classic 

The Ipcress File (1965) Caine's opus to the spy world's morally ambivalent behavior and ideology.

Directed by Sidney Furie.

Starring Michael Caine, Sue Lloyd, Guy Doleman and Nigel Green among others.

Sidney creates a magnificent spy thriller by wisely letting Michael take over the production with his masterful performance. Caine's ability to flesh out the darker subtext within the plight of the common man in extraordinary situations is as layered as Cary Grants in Alfred Hitchcock's, North by Northwest (1959). Both Michael and Cary have an ability to understood themselves on a very profound level and share it with an audience. Furie like Hitchcock understood the need to let their leading men craft their movie and not vice versa.

In the scene below watch a bespectacled Michael seduce the knickers off his co-star by breaking eggs. The ending of the scene leaves no doubt in the viewers mind that the meal will be served in bed throughout the night.

Film Scene

Trivia - IPCRESS stands for Induction of Psychoneuroses by Conditioned Reflex Under Stress.

Film Trailer

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Film Transcript

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

"To be with another woman that is French. To be caught that is American." Inspector Andre

☆☆☆☆☆ Classic

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel (1988) is filled with rotten apples that are deliciously served.

Directed by Frank Oz.

Starring Michael Caine, Steve Martin and Glenne Headly.

Take three great actors, a madcap plot, an intelligent, well written script, the French Riviera and you have comedy heaven. The movie has a modest pace that gets its high octane humor from the marvelous chemistry between all three lead actors. The plot twists are imaginative and surprising. The story gets you laughing as you not only anticipate what will happen, but you can't wait to see how  the crazy scenes are accomplish. I found myself laughing from beginning to end.

Great comedy requires impeccable timing and surprising plot twists. This film has an over abundance of both. As an actor I was amazed at the chemistry between Michael Caine and Steven Martin. They played off each other wonderfully and allowed the other to take the reins of the scene as needed. This helped them, so as not to overwhelm each other at any given moment. There is a fine line, especially in comedy of not upstaging your scene partner. Neither Martin nor Caine ever crossed that mark. When Glenne steps into the picture she brings a soft touch to every scene she is in. It's as though she has a secret that she enjoys keeping to herself and the two boys find her irresistible.

The scene below perfectly illustrates how as an audience member you know what is about to happen is going to be hilarious and you can't wait to see what the story has in store for you. Now the actors take the scene and elevate it to slapstick nirvana with their comedic timing and physicality. As an audience member you know how the scene will end from the moment it starts. The film, EuroTrip (2004) has a similar approach in cluing the audience in on the joke early in a scene and then surprising them with an uproarious conclusion. This film should be in your library. Enjoy!

Film Scene

Trivia - The young lady with long dark hair dancing next to Michael Caine is his real-life daughter, Natasha.

Film Trailer