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Only die-hard Bill Murray fans will likely consider this movie for their home-video library, but it's not without its rewards. You can see why someone as comically astute as Murray would agree to play a dimwitted American who can't tell the difference between improvised theater and a real-life espionage plot. There's certainly plenty of potential for belly laughs, and Murray milks the opportunities like the old pro that he is.Here he plays an American tourist in London who thinks he's been recruited into a street-theater act called "Theater of Life"; actually, he's stepped into a complicated spy scheme that plays like a cross between Hitchcock and the Marx Brothers. Joanne Whalley costars as the femme fatale who may or may not be a double agent, and along the way there's enough comical confusion to foil any number of idiotic villains. The movie stretches its one-joke premise to desperate extremes (Murray thinks he's in a play, so he's oblivious to genuine danger), and 95 minutes is more than enough time to exhaust the comedic possibilities. But, as always, Murray finds a way to mine gold from a few clever bits, and he cuts loose with some inspired lunacy during a climactic scene involving a hidden bomb and a troupe of dancing Cossacks. It's not Murray's finest hour, but give him credit for making the best out of a challenging situation. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Well written story, entertaining
A very clever script with some very well written situation comedy. I tried getting my teenage daughter to watch this, she thought it was extremely stupid, so the audience has to be right. I thought she'd enjoy it. I've watched it a couple of times and still found it entertaining and funny.
Murray plays a hapless American caught up in a ring of international espionage while thinking that he is just playing the part in an audience participation stage play in London. A lessor actor in this film and it would have a a complete dud, but Murray's talent shines and there aren't any dull moments. A scene near the end has him dancing with Russians while unknowingly stopping a time bomb, it is very well choreographed and lots of fun to watch. This movie is a strong recommendation to any that like Murray and his talent of being funny while seemingly not trying to be. It is a good recommendation to any that enjoy clever situation comedy and aren't expecting "What about Bob?" or "Groundhog Day" which this film is not.

A laugh out loud video!!
The first time i saw this movie i was in a movie theater and i couldn't stop laughing! I knew that i had to get the tape so i did. It is a little confusing in the very begining but once you see it a second time it makes a lot more sense. It's about Bill Murray's character who is brother's with Peter Gallagher's character. Bill goes to England(where his brother lives)for Bill's birthday. Peter gives him a ticket to "the theater of life"- a performance you play as the main character. In the performance, it takes you around town acting as if it were real life only there are actors everywhere to help you along the way. It sounds confusing but you'll understand when you see it. Anyway, Bill loves the present but somethng goes wrong. Bill get's mixed up with the wrong people who think he's a killer but Bill thinks it's all part of "the theater of life". but it's not the performance, it's real life! Bill get's close to dying so many times but he doesn't even realize how much danger he's in. All throughout the movie Bill thinks it's just a performance. In the end everything turns out fine and he even get's the girl! The only thing i didn't like was that Peter Gallagher was Bill Murray's brother, they don't look anything alike and Peter's really ugly! But other than that it was a hilarious movie and you're really missing out if you haven't seen it! go see it now before it's too late!

What a hoot!! Too many great scenes to list them all..
Confusion is often funny, but sometimes it can lead to danger. In this film, confusion and danger, coupled with a marvelous cast and excellent comedic script, take us on a heckuva fun trip to London. The whole of the underbelly of the world of duplicitous spies and sneaky secret agents is cut to shreds by a simple, unsuspecting video store clerk from Iowa. Absolutely hilarious, and Bill Murray is his zany best. Joanne Whalley is the cat's meow, and is perfect as Murray's cohort. Just the mix-up of the real and pretend torture doctors is worth the purchase. You will laugh until you can't cry any more tears.

Lori Wants Her Letters........
This movie was a real surprise for me and my wife. We rent a lot of comedy movies and have passed this one up a couple of times thankfully having picked it out just recently and now intending to buy it.

Murray plays a very funny underachiever who just so happens to get involved with international intrigue, yet he thinks he is involved in a one night reality TV program. His straight side kick in the movie is Joanne Whalley playing Lori.

Murray is a crack up throughout the film thinking he is in a movie and thinking that all of the spies and diplomats are actors staying in character.....he is the funniest since Groundhog Day in this. I feel he is better than 'What About Bob.'

Peter Gallagher plays his brother and the funniest interaction he has is with an actual police officer where Gallagher, who funded Murray's intended movie romp, thinks he is talking with an actor and as he gets angrier he just gets funnier.

The movie has a lot of funny scenes that I laughed throughout. I thought the first part of the movie was little slow in developing but as soon as he got the call for what he thought was the reality show, things really took off.

I laughed and laughed as he got chased, shot at, tortured and then all through it he thinks he is in a show.

If there is a movie you want to share with friends for a nice fun evening this it.

Delicious Desert for Bill Murray Fans
This is an enjoyable, lightweight Blake Edwards-style farce that gave me plenty of belly laughs. Bill Murray is such a good comic actor that he takes what ought to be a one-joke pastiche and milks it for every last drop of comedy. I've seen bumbling detectives and secret agent spoofs before, but Murray turns this into something special. I wouldn't rate it as highly as "Ghostbusters" or "Groundhog Day" but "The Man Who Knew Too Little" is enough of an overlooked gem for me to recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Well written story, entertaining
A very clever script with some very well written situation comedy. I tried getting my teenage daughter to watch this, she thought it was extremely stupid, so the audience has to be right. I thought she'd enjoy it. I've watched it a couple of times and still found it entertaining and funny.
Murray plays a hapless American caught up in a ring of international espionage while thinking that he is just playing the part in an audience participation stage play in London. A lessor actor in this film and it would have a a complete dud, but Murray's talent shines and there aren't any dull moments. A scene near the end has him dancing with Russians while unknowingly stopping a time bomb, it is very well choreographed and lots of fun to watch. This movie is a strong recommendation to any that like Murray and his talent of being funny while seemingly not trying to be. It is a good recommendation to any that enjoy clever situation comedy and aren't expecting "What about Bob?" or "Groundhog Day" which this film is not.

A laugh out loud video!!
The first time i saw this movie i was in a movie theater and i couldn't stop laughing! I knew that i had to get the tape so i did. It is a little confusing in the very begining but once you see it a second time it makes a lot more sense. It's about Bill Murray's character who is brother's with Peter Gallagher's character. Bill goes to England(where his brother lives)for Bill's birthday. Peter gives him a ticket to "the theater of life"- a performance you play as the main character. In the performance, it takes you around town acting as if it were real life only there are actors everywhere to help you along the way. It sounds confusing but you'll understand when you see it. Anyway, Bill loves the present but somethng goes wrong. Bill get's mixed up with the wrong people who think he's a killer but Bill thinks it's all part of "the theater of life". but it's not the performance, it's real life! Bill get's close to dying so many times but he doesn't even realize how much danger he's in. All throughout the movie Bill thinks it's just a performance. In the end everything turns out fine and he even get's the girl! The only thing i didn't like was that Peter Gallagher was Bill Murray's brother, they don't look anything alike and Peter's really ugly! But other than that it was a hilarious movie and you're really missing out if you haven't seen it! go see it now before it's too late!

What a hoot!! Too many great scenes to list them all..
Confusion is often funny, but sometimes it can lead to danger. In this film, confusion and danger, coupled with a marvelous cast and excellent comedic script, take us on a heckuva fun trip to London. The whole of the underbelly of the world of duplicitous spies and sneaky secret agents is cut to shreds by a simple, unsuspecting video store clerk from Iowa. Absolutely hilarious, and Bill Murray is his zany best. Joanne Whalley is the cat's meow, and is perfect as Murray's cohort. Just the mix-up of the real and pretend torture doctors is worth the purchase. You will laugh until you can't cry any more tears.

Lori Wants Her Letters........
This movie was a real surprise for me and my wife. We rent a lot of comedy movies and have passed this one up a couple of times thankfully having picked it out just recently and now intending to buy it.

Murray plays a very funny underachiever who just so happens to get involved with international intrigue, yet he thinks he is involved in a one night reality TV program. His straight side kick in the movie is Joanne Whalley playing Lori.

Murray is a crack up throughout the film thinking he is in a movie and thinking that all of the spies and diplomats are actors staying in character.....he is the funniest since Groundhog Day in this. I feel he is better than 'What About Bob.'

Peter Gallagher plays his brother and the funniest interaction he has is with an actual police officer where Gallagher, who funded Murray's intended movie romp, thinks he is talking with an actor and as he gets angrier he just gets funnier.

The movie has a lot of funny scenes that I laughed throughout. I thought the first part of the movie was little slow in developing but as soon as he got the call for what he thought was the reality show, things really took off.

I laughed and laughed as he got chased, shot at, tortured and then all through it he thinks he is in a show.

If there is a movie you want to share with friends for a nice fun evening this it.

Delicious Desert for Bill Murray Fans
This is an enjoyable, lightweight Blake Edwards-style farce that gave me plenty of belly laughs. Bill Murray is such a good comic actor that he takes what ought to be a one-joke pastiche and milks it for every last drop of comedy. I've seen bumbling detectives and secret agent spoofs before, but Murray turns this into something special. I wouldn't rate it as highly as "Ghostbusters" or "Groundhog Day" but "The Man Who Knew Too Little" is enough of an overlooked gem for me to recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Well written story, entertaining
A very clever script with some very well written situation comedy. I tried getting my teenage daughter to watch this, she thought it was extremely stupid, so the audience has to be right. I thought she'd enjoy it. I've watched it a couple of times and still found it entertaining and funny.
Murray plays a hapless American caught up in a ring of international espionage while thinking that he is just playing the part in an audience participation stage play in London. A lessor actor in this film and it would have a a complete dud, but Murray's talent shines and there aren't any dull moments. A scene near the end has him dancing with Russians while unknowingly stopping a time bomb, it is very well choreographed and lots of fun to watch. This movie is a strong recommendation to any that like Murray and his talent of being funny while seemingly not trying to be. It is a good recommendation to any that enjoy clever situation comedy and aren't expecting "What about Bob?" or "Groundhog Day" which this film is not.

A laugh out loud video!!
The first time i saw this movie i was in a movie theater and i couldn't stop laughing! I knew that i had to get the tape so i did. It is a little confusing in the very begining but once you see it a second time it makes a lot more sense. It's about Bill Murray's character who is brother's with Peter Gallagher's character. Bill goes to England(where his brother lives)for Bill's birthday. Peter gives him a ticket to "the theater of life"- a performance you play as the main character. In the performance, it takes you around town acting as if it were real life only there are actors everywhere to help you along the way. It sounds confusing but you'll understand when you see it. Anyway, Bill loves the present but somethng goes wrong. Bill get's mixed up with the wrong people who think he's a killer but Bill thinks it's all part of "the theater of life". but it's not the performance, it's real life! Bill get's close to dying so many times but he doesn't even realize how much danger he's in. All throughout the movie Bill thinks it's just a performance. In the end everything turns out fine and he even get's the girl! The only thing i didn't like was that Peter Gallagher was Bill Murray's brother, they don't look anything alike and Peter's really ugly! But other than that it was a hilarious movie and you're really missing out if you haven't seen it! go see it now before it's too late!

What a hoot!! Too many great scenes to list them all..
Confusion is often funny, but sometimes it can lead to danger. In this film, confusion and danger, coupled with a marvelous cast and excellent comedic script, take us on a heckuva fun trip to London. The whole of the underbelly of the world of duplicitous spies and sneaky secret agents is cut to shreds by a simple, unsuspecting video store clerk from Iowa. Absolutely hilarious, and Bill Murray is his zany best. Joanne Whalley is the cat's meow, and is perfect as Murray's cohort. Just the mix-up of the real and pretend torture doctors is worth the purchase. You will laugh until you can't cry any more tears.

Lori Wants Her Letters........
This movie was a real surprise for me and my wife. We rent a lot of comedy movies and have passed this one up a couple of times thankfully having picked it out just recently and now intending to buy it.

Murray plays a very funny underachiever who just so happens to get involved with international intrigue, yet he thinks he is involved in a one night reality TV program. His straight side kick in the movie is Joanne Whalley playing Lori.

Murray is a crack up throughout the film thinking he is in a movie and thinking that all of the spies and diplomats are actors staying in character.....he is the funniest since Groundhog Day in this. I feel he is better than 'What About Bob.'

Peter Gallagher plays his brother and the funniest interaction he has is with an actual police officer where Gallagher, who funded Murray's intended movie romp, thinks he is talking with an actor and as he gets angrier he just gets funnier.

The movie has a lot of funny scenes that I laughed throughout. I thought the first part of the movie was little slow in developing but as soon as he got the call for what he thought was the reality show, things really took off.

I laughed and laughed as he got chased, shot at, tortured and then all through it he thinks he is in a show.

If there is a movie you want to share with friends for a nice fun evening this it.

Delicious Desert for Bill Murray Fans
This is an enjoyable, lightweight Blake Edwards-style farce that gave me plenty of belly laughs. Bill Murray is such a good comic actor that he takes what ought to be a one-joke pastiche and milks it for every last drop of comedy. I've seen bumbling detectives and secret agent spoofs before, but Murray turns this into something special. I wouldn't rate it as highly as "Ghostbusters" or "Groundhog Day" but "The Man Who Knew Too Little" is enough of an overlooked gem for me to recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Well written story, entertaining
A very clever script with some very well written situation comedy. I tried getting my teenage daughter to watch this, she thought it was extremely stupid, so the audience has to be right. I thought she'd enjoy it. I've watched it a couple of times and still found it entertaining and funny.
Murray plays a hapless American caught up in a ring of international espionage while thinking that he is just playing the part in an audience participation stage play in London. A lessor actor in this film and it would have a a complete dud, but Murray's talent shines and there aren't any dull moments. A scene near the end has him dancing with Russians while unknowingly stopping a time bomb, it is very well choreographed and lots of fun to watch. This movie is a strong recommendation to any that like Murray and his talent of being funny while seemingly not trying to be. It is a good recommendation to any that enjoy clever situation comedy and aren't expecting "What about Bob?" or "Groundhog Day" which this film is not.

A laugh out loud video!!
The first time i saw this movie i was in a movie theater and i couldn't stop laughing! I knew that i had to get the tape so i did. It is a little confusing in the very begining but once you see it a second time it makes a lot more sense. It's about Bill Murray's character who is brother's with Peter Gallagher's character. Bill goes to England(where his brother lives)for Bill's birthday. Peter gives him a ticket to "the theater of life"- a performance you play as the main character. In the performance, it takes you around town acting as if it were real life only there are actors everywhere to help you along the way. It sounds confusing but you'll understand when you see it. Anyway, Bill loves the present but somethng goes wrong. Bill get's mixed up with the wrong people who think he's a killer but Bill thinks it's all part of "the theater of life". but it's not the performance, it's real life! Bill get's close to dying so many times but he doesn't even realize how much danger he's in. All throughout the movie Bill thinks it's just a performance. In the end everything turns out fine and he even get's the girl! The only thing i didn't like was that Peter Gallagher was Bill Murray's brother, they don't look anything alike and Peter's really ugly! But other than that it was a hilarious movie and you're really missing out if you haven't seen it! go see it now before it's too late!

What a hoot!! Too many great scenes to list them all..
Confusion is often funny, but sometimes it can lead to danger. In this film, confusion and danger, coupled with a marvelous cast and excellent comedic script, take us on a heckuva fun trip to London. The whole of the underbelly of the world of duplicitous spies and sneaky secret agents is cut to shreds by a simple, unsuspecting video store clerk from Iowa. Absolutely hilarious, and Bill Murray is his zany best. Joanne Whalley is the cat's meow, and is perfect as Murray's cohort. Just the mix-up of the real and pretend torture doctors is worth the purchase. You will laugh until you can't cry any more tears.

Lori Wants Her Letters........
This movie was a real surprise for me and my wife. We rent a lot of comedy movies and have passed this one up a couple of times thankfully having picked it out just recently and now intending to buy it.

Murray plays a very funny underachiever who just so happens to get involved with international intrigue, yet he thinks he is involved in a one night reality TV program. His straight side kick in the movie is Joanne Whalley playing Lori.

Murray is a crack up throughout the film thinking he is in a movie and thinking that all of the spies and diplomats are actors staying in character.....he is the funniest since Groundhog Day in this. I feel he is better than 'What About Bob.'

Peter Gallagher plays his brother and the funniest interaction he has is with an actual police officer where Gallagher, who funded Murray's intended movie romp, thinks he is talking with an actor and as he gets angrier he just gets funnier.

The movie has a lot of funny scenes that I laughed throughout. I thought the first part of the movie was little slow in developing but as soon as he got the call for what he thought was the reality show, things really took off.

I laughed and laughed as he got chased, shot at, tortured and then all through it he thinks he is in a show.

If there is a movie you want to share with friends for a nice fun evening this it.

Delicious Desert for Bill Murray Fans
This is an enjoyable, lightweight Blake Edwards-style farce that gave me plenty of belly laughs. Bill Murray is such a good comic actor that he takes what ought to be a one-joke pastiche and milks it for every last drop of comedy. I've seen bumbling detectives and secret agent spoofs before, but Murray turns this into something special. I wouldn't rate it as highly as "Ghostbusters" or "Groundhog Day" but "The Man Who Knew Too Little" is enough of an overlooked gem for me to recommend it. ... Read more