JohnKaneLA
Dick Van Dyke and James Garner for comedy, Elke Sommer and Angie Dickinson for sex, Carl Reiner writing, Norman Jewison directing, and this is the stinker they stirred up. The plot, a painter pretending to be dead to sell his paintings, recalls some of the contrivances of IRMA LA DOUCE, but ART completely lacks the eye winking Gallic quality Wilder brought to his script. Poorly lit studio sets, frantic overacting, and don't forget Ethel Merman as a PG madam who run's a "Girl's Club." There's barely a laugh in it. Perhaps the whole thing collapsed under the production of Ross Hunter, the clutzy, schmaltzy producer who made Universal millions with Sirk soap operas. ART OF LOVE followed the moderatley amusing THRILL OF IT ALL, with Garner, Reiner and Hunter on board, and suggests that they were tying to follow one hit with another one. But Reiner's scrips sounds like he had it in a desk drawer since the 50s. The oo-la-la acting of ART OF LOVE, in these politically correct times, comes close to racism.
leisg
Simply stated, I enjoyed this movie decades ago when it rain on TV, and I cannot believe it has yet to be released on DVD. Look at the cast. It's quirky, funny and mostly sweet with great location shots. I don't even recall seeing it on TCM, which is really strange. Does anyone out there know if it was ever even released on VHS? James Garner and Dick Van Dyke play off each other beautifully. The female characters are colorful and endearing to say the least. If you love the sixties, and crave a comedy that is original and just a little risqué, this movie is for you. Please! The DVD! Does anyone know what entity to contact to get this movie out there for fans to experience again?
Mr Skoooooter
Although I haven't seen this film in many years, it was so funny that 99% of it is still in my mind and I look forward to the day it is put on video-though I don't know why it isn't out now, as funny as it is. If you get a chance to see it-DO IT! You won't be sorry!!!
aesgaard41
I saw this movie once a long time ago and never forgot it.It has several funny lines and wierd situations in it as well as Dick Van Dyke fakes his suicide, but survives to get even with the friend played by James Garner who is getting rich off his phony death. Not that I condone suicide, but it's unreal as the phony murder that Van Dyke sets up takes up a life of its own. Ethel Merman is the dance hall owner keeping them from killing each other as she is unaware of the extra duties of her female dancers.Beautiful Elke Sommar and lovely Angie Dickinson are Van Dyke's and Garner's love interests as "Star Trek's" Roger C. Carmel and Van Dyke's TV boss Carl Reiner provide some comic relief in this black comedy.
AD
