There is a lot to admire about "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" in which Steve Martin and director Carl Reiner collaborated for the second of four films. Reiner has weaved together an original script with the plots of many classic noir/gangster/mystery films of the 40's and 50's. To add to the atmosphere Reiner wisely shot this movie in black and white and it retains that noirish feeling. What Reiner didn't count on was the paper thin plot running out of steam before the third act. By that time we have long given up on the present mystery and sit back to watch and enjoy seeing the great stars of the 40's on the big screen one more time.
I can only imagine the hours and hours it must have taken Reiner, Martin et al to find the right moments from other films to add to this film. For the most part Reiner matches perfectly between his film and the old ones save for the obvious age in the older prints which can't be helped. By the end I had the reverse effect of what I think Reiner intended. I was becoming nostalgic for the great actors of the past and wishing I could see those movies while not keeping up with the story for "Plaid". Of course had the story been a stronger one or if the film on the whole were funnier I would have cared more about "Plaid" then I do.
I don't mean to sound so negative because there are things to enjoy besides the old classic clips. Martin does a good job as the private eye and Rachel Ward is perfectly cast as the femme fatale. I wish they had done more with her character. The mystery, at first, is interesting but it quickly loses track thus, loses the audience. And by the time Reiner appears as a Nazi all hope is thrown out the window.
This is a mixed review for "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid". It's not one of Martin's best or worst but falls right in between. It has its moments but ten minutes after it's over the only thing you'll remember is the clips from the classics. I don't think Reiner intended that.
I can only imagine the hours and hours it must have taken Reiner, Martin et al to find the right moments from other films to add to this film. For the most part Reiner matches perfectly between his film and the old ones save for the obvious age in the older prints which can't be helped. By the end I had the reverse effect of what I think Reiner intended. I was becoming nostalgic for the great actors of the past and wishing I could see those movies while not keeping up with the story for "Plaid". Of course had the story been a stronger one or if the film on the whole were funnier I would have cared more about "Plaid" then I do.
I don't mean to sound so negative because there are things to enjoy besides the old classic clips. Martin does a good job as the private eye and Rachel Ward is perfectly cast as the femme fatale. I wish they had done more with her character. The mystery, at first, is interesting but it quickly loses track thus, loses the audience. And by the time Reiner appears as a Nazi all hope is thrown out the window.
This is a mixed review for "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid". It's not one of Martin's best or worst but falls right in between. It has its moments but ten minutes after it's over the only thing you'll remember is the clips from the classics. I don't think Reiner intended that.