Why so much hype?

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Maggie Smith is questionably cast as a wacky British eccentric, enlisting the aid of her uptight "nephew" (the terrific Alec McGowen) to help her out of a complicated blackmail scheme. Lumbering comedy-drama adapted from a Graham Greene novel is heavily padded with pinched, salty wit and lots of gossipy chit-cat and theatrical flair. It can't compensate for a lack of substance in the story, nor that Smith is too smart of an actress to be completely convincing as this merry madcap. George Cukor directed, with a heavy hand. Lou Gossett and Cindy Williams are both fine in support, but the movie is a featherweight farce undercut by faded-memory pathos. More heart and humor would have sufficed. ** from ****

Saw it in Vietnam the year it was released, and it did what a movie is supposed to do - took me somewhere else, and made me forget reality for a while. Any movie that could hold the attention of a bunch of GI's under those circumstances has to be entertaining! Haven't seen the movie in over 30 years, but can recall enjoying it. What more can be expected of a movie?My recollection is the main character reminded me of a composite of two of my own aunts. Made me laugh. I'm usually not too keen on period-movies, but this one didn't overdo the genre.Good cinematography.

Somewhat of an intriguing film, as one is always trying to figure out what exactly is going on, it is a strange mix of flashiness and eccentricities overall, and not quite a fully satisfying combination. In an Oscar nominated role, Maggie Smith gives it her all, but yet comes off as bit over-the-top. Alec McCowen is better as the as a man who has never done anything outlandish in his life before. The vibrant costumes won the film an Oscar and perhaps are the best part of the production. It is very uneven in how fascinating the storyline is, with flashbacks that drag in a style that involves sharp zooms and fuzzy close-ups, and with a number of nasty events. It is rather shallow stuff: not emotionally involving, but neither very funny… just quite weird overall with a convoluted and contrived scheme as a backdrop to the events. The music choices are not exactly wonderful either. Make no mistake - this is not a terrible film, and there is enough worth watching for that the film arguably is worth checking out. It comes however best recommended to those who are into bizarre, unusual and somewhat silly films, wanting something different for a change. I cannot see this strange mix satisfying most tastes.

A boring bachelor meets his life-loving, eccentric aunt at her mother's funeral, who involves him to various misadventures.Glossily packaged and ambitious, but rather disappointingly misguided screen transfer of an irresistible semi-classic novel. Meticulous attention to surface style and a gorgeous acting tour-de-force from McCowen, but a fatal lack of inventive characterisation, too much empty talk, with no real passions.