Once Upon a Crime...

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Once Upon a Crime is a 1992 ensemble comedy film starring, among others; Richard Lewis, John Candy, James Belushi, Cybill Shepherd and Ornella Muti. The film was directed by Eugene Levy.

PlotThe plot revolves around a series of couples in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Augie Morosco (John Candy) is a reformed gambler whose wife Elena Morosco (Ornella Muti) (playing a similar character to her role in Oscar) is concluding a business deal, Neil Schwary (James Belushi) is a gambler looking to strike it big and whose wife Marilyn Schwary (Cybil Shepherd) is hoping to buy some designer clothes. Julian Peters (Richard Lewis) and Phoebe (Sean Young) met each other in Rome and are attempting to return a dachshund to the wealthy Madam Van Dougan.

Madam Van Dougan is found murdered and the interactions between Julian and Phoebe and the other couples begin to look increasingly suspicious, as Inspector Bonnard (Giancarlo Giannini) needs to unravel the clues. Over the course of the film, Augie returns to gambling, Elena has an affair and Julian sells and repurchases the dog.

The film is often described as having "A chaotic screenplay, which results in everyone needing to shout at each other all the time". The plot is fast-moving and often involves frantic wisecracking from all the principal characters. A memorable example is Julian being asked by Bonnard to "look at this man's face" (the man being a witness). Julian takes one look at the strangely-featured man and screams. Later, Augie is requested to provide an alibi for the crime which took place "Between one and one-thirty in the morning". His alibi is that he was making love to his wife, and he can be certain because "Her screams of pleasure woke up the street and someone cried out...'It's between one and one-thirty in the morning! Give that poor woman a break!'" Lewis' customary dry humour is ever-present, including his description of himself and Young as "Julian Peters and Phoebe? We sound like a high-wire act!"

There are some elements of physical comedy, including the facial expressions of the characters as the contents of a suitcase are revealed. A striking example, however, is Augie's re-enactment of how he crept from room to room of a hotel at night.

Cast:

John Candy as Augie Morosco
James Belushi as Neil Schwary
Cybill Shepherd as Marilyn Schwary
Sean Young as Phoebe
Richard Lewis as Julian Peters
Ornella Muti as Elena Morosco
Giancarlo Giannini as Inspector Bonnard
George Hamilton as Alfonso de la Pena
Roberto Sbaratto as Detective Toussaint
Joss Ackland as Hercules Popodopoulos
Ann Way as Housekeeper
Geoffrey Andrews as Butler
Caterina Boratto as Madame de Senneville
Elsa Martinelli as Carla the Agent
Riccardo Parisio Perrotti as Customs Officer
Eugene Levy as Casino Cashier (uncredited)

Reception

Janet Maslin gave the film a negative review in the New York Times, saying it was not funny, and adding "As a general rule, films whose plots revolve around lost dogs are apt to be short on comic inspiration, and this one is no exception."