Blame It on the Bellboy (1992)

Messrs Lawton (a hit-man), Horton (expecting some middle-aged dating agency nooky) and Orton (checking out properties for his boss) converge on the Hotel Gabriella in Venice. Linguistic ... See full summary »

Director:

Mark Herman

Writer:

Mark Herman

Stars:

Dudley Moore, Bryan Brown, Richard Griffiths

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dudley Moore	...	Melvyn Orton
Bryan Brown	...	Mike Lawton / Charlton Black
Richard Griffiths	...	Maurice Horton
Andreas Katsulas	...	Scarpa
Patsy Kensit	...	Caroline Wright
Alison Steadman	...	Rosemary Horton
Penelope Wilton	...	Patricia Fulford
Bronson Pinchot	...	Bellboy
Jim Carter	...	Rossi
Alex Norton	...	Alfio
John Grillo	...	Hotel Manager
Andrew Bailey	...	Shady Character
Ronnie Stevens	...	Man on Plane
Enzo Turrin	...	Senior Policeman
Andy Bradford	...	Italian Victim

Storyline

Messrs Lawton (a hit-man), Horton (expecting some middle-aged dating agency nooky) and Orton (checking out properties for his boss) converge on the Hotel Gabriella in Venice. Linguistic mix-ups by the staff mean each of the trio get wrong instructions for the next day. So Horton meets up with puzzled estate agent Caroline to see what she's offering, Orton attempts to make a gang of hoods an offer they can't refuse on their villa, while Lawton sets off to rub out a lonely-hearts lady from Huddersfield.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | mix up | venice italy | hitman | what happened to epilogue | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 March 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Enredos de hotel

Filming Locations:

Lee International Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Gross:

$3,104,545 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bellboy Films Limited, Hollywood Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Laserblast (1996)

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Soundtracks

"The Perfect Moment"
Music by Henry Priestman
Lyrics by Henry Priestman and Mark Herman
Performed by The Christians
©1991 Island Records Limited

User Reviews

The Best British Comedians shine in this under-rated comedy

I've watched this movie 5 times and each time I find another slew of great jokes, subtle sight gags or unexpected comedic high points. Never mind Dudley Moore, the real stars of this movie are Richard Griffiths, who last year took home an Oscar and Tony for his wildly hilarious and touching performance in History Boys, and his co-star, Penelope Wilton who plays the incredible Patricia in this movie. She manages to be guileless, disarming, charming and willful in the same scene. (Wilton also won a Tony for History Boys, was nominated for an Oscar, but lost out.) Not to mention Bryan Brown who is marvelous as the conflicted hit-man who secretly longs for a quiet corner and a florists' shop in which to retire. Who knew, after two F/X films, that he was so great at comedy. The main stars and head writer are comedy veterans from the Monty Python-precursor, Beyond the Fringe, and their adeptness with comedy really shows.

This movie has everything: A great plot worthy of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, or Tom Stoppard at his funniest (Think The Real Inspector Hound, or Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead.) If you like your comedy literate, with beautiful scenery, subtlety, a little dark humor around the edges, and a surprise ending, you will love this movie. The entire case of multiple mistaken identity is based on Bronson Pinchot's riotous inability (in his best acting job ever) to pronounce the English "H". The result spins out in an unpretentious and delightful romp around beauteous locations in Venice, with marvelous comedic touches. These include a mob hit man who delights in taking Polaroids of his victims in ever more distressing situations and sordid death scenes. The torture of Dudley Moore reminded me of the best plays of the Irishman, Martin McDonagh. Think the Lieutenant of Inishmore, and substitute a Venetian villa for the cat. It's here, it's gone, it's falling apart, no it's back again.

You wonder, throughout the second half of the movie, how the good guys will extricate themselves with all limbs intact, and how the evil doers will be punished. They are, and they do, all with several surprising twists that keep you guessing until the end. But you have to pay attention to appreciate everything else that is going on. (Look for the wonderful gags about Euruopean hotel cable TV, and the rhinoceroses at play.) Literate viewers who like witty repartee tossed off the way the Brits do it best, you will love this movie. Guaranteed.