The Man Who Knew Too Little

Though it boasts a seemingly foolproof premise, The Man Who Knew Too Little ultimately comes off as a misguided and terminally unfunny disaster that’s rarely as appealing or entertaining as star Bill Murray’s typically charismatic performance. The film follows Murray’s Wallace Ritchie, an affable, simple-minded American, as he arrives in London to surprise his brother (Peter Gallagher’s James), with problems ensuing as Wallace finds himself embroiled in a shady scheme involving murder and mayhem. (The twist being that Wallace is under the impression that all the excitement is part of an elaborate audience-participation game.) It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where The Man Who Knew Too Little goes wrong, as the film admittedly does boast a number of exceedingly positive attributes – with Murray’s comedic turn complemented by a strong supporting cast and a number of promising set pieces. The effectiveness of the film’s initial sequences (eg Wallace’s encounter with a couple of bewildered street toughs) pave the way for a frenetic and progressively desperate midsection that slowly-but-surely drains the viewer’s interest, with the inclusion of an almost mindbogglingly misguided finale ultimately confirming The Man Who Knew Too Little‘s place as a misfire of disastrous proportions.

*1/2 out of ****