Unfaithfully Yours

Unfaithfully Yours follows composer Claude Eastman (Dudley Moore) on the basis of the 1948 Preston Sturges movie as he becomes confident that his youthful wife (Nastassja Kinski's Daniella) is having an affair with a hunky singer (Armand Assante's Max) - with the story finally detailing Claude's attempts to plot a complex vengeance.It's a good premise that director Howard Zieff uses to watch (if mostly forgettable) impact, as the filmmaker, working from a script by Valerie Curtin, Barry Levinson, and Robert Klane, provides a slow-moving comedy that eventually benefits significantly from the above-average attempts of its multiple actors - with Moore's typically winning turn matching his two costars.There is also little doubt that the opening hour of Unfaithfully Yours contains a number of admittedly hilarious pieces of comedy that contribute heavily to the affable atmosphere, although it should be noted that the excessively slapsticky third act is not quite capable of making the knee-slapping impact that Zieff certainly intended.- Which confirms the location of the picture as a rather small Moore car.

Preston Sturges, that genius of the American cinema, made a statement when he wrote and directed the 1948 film, which in comparison with this 1984 attempt seems to be brilliant. Not only was the film great, it had a wonderful cast of accomplished comedians with Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell, and Rudy Vallee in the main roles.

Howard Zieff's version suffers in contrast in that is not as effective and even handed as the original one. Where Preston Sturges went for subtlety and sophistication, Mr. Zieff goes for a more splashy comedy, that at times seems forced.

Basically, the film doesn't improve on its model. Dudley Moore goes overboard with his take on Claude Eastman, the conductor. Natassja Kinski is terribly miscast as the Italian actress Daniella, who is married to Eastman. Armand Assante does what he can.

The film, photographed in Manhattan, takes us to places that are not around any more, like it's the case with the Russian Tea Room, where a few scenes were shot.

Find the original for a more satisfactory view.

This film is hilarious and what I consider to be the best film starring Dudley Moore. A man is convinced by scarce circumstantial evidence that his wife is unfaithful. Although still very much in love with his wife, he is "told" by an Italian employee that he must kill her. So begins a spiral where Claude (Moore) plans the murder of his wife. However, when he tries to put the plan into action, things go wrong.

The music in this movie is fantastic. The movie also contains the funniest scene I have witnessed in any movie which I can only describe as the "violin war". It is brilliant.

The actors and actresses chosen in the film fit their characters perfectly. The events in the film are easy to believe and thus make the plot more enjoyable. It also quietly sends a message to the audience... Don't be quick to condemn, your probably wrong.

This film is a mix between comedy and drama that is enjoyable. Watch this film, I think you'll love it.

Don't ask me why but I absolutely wanna see all films with Nastassja Kinski and with this in mind I know I have to see some bad ones as well. Is this one a stinker? Not really but it's just one of those eightiescomedies in where a goldfish is funnier than Dudley Moore himself. Still wearing his playboyattitude (never could get that!) from "Ten", Moore plays the role of Claude Eastman who happen to be one of the most respected musicconductors. He just has married his new Italian wife Daniella (never understood why she wasn't Russian as madame Kinski speaks with a very Russian accent) and due to a stupid householdkeeper Giuseppe (Richard Libertini, the sole man with whom you can laugh even if he plays a complete idiot) his wife is followed by a detective as Claude told him to keep an eye on her.... This comedy could have been made in the 60's as this is pure Boeing Boeing-style, you know one situation leads to another situation that is based on false suspicions and so.... Naaah you saw it million times before, you saw it million times better but you never saw it with Nastassja Kinski

I haven't seen the Preston Sturges original, but I know the hero there conceived THREE alternative murderous plans. The fact that this (unfaithful) remake contains only one certainly doesn't suggest that the filmmakers were full of ideas. It's still a generally agreeable (if uneven) comedy, but the laughs, even for Moore fans, are scattered.