All The Queen's Men

Rating:
Summary: Matt LeBlanc is NOT a convincing woman
Review: ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN could have easily fallen into the ranks of the "let's dress men in drag for laughs" films that followed THE BIRDCAGE and usually end up being unfunny and at times less than dignified slapstick. With excellent direction from Stefan Ruzowitzky and a strong ensemble of actors this film about the Brits sending a team of men to capture the Enigma machine from a Nazi factory that only employs women in Berlin (hence the need to be in drag) succeeds with grace and warmth and tenderness - and humor. Eddie Izzard is hilarious as a cross-dressing entertainer who is assigned the duty of transforming a team of macho guys into credible women (which he succeeds in doing!). The team is ably led by Matt LeBlanc and includes David Birkin and James Cosmo, each with their own personal stories that make the story more believable. Their 'contact' is the German spy Nicolette Krebitz and with her help and a lot of surprises the mission is 'accomplished'. Yes, this is a comedy with many good belly laughs, but it also is a tender rendering of how men and women (and children) relate under the stresses of war. The cinematography is first class without blowing the story out of real proportion. Recommended for the whole family.

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good (and sensitive) film
Review: ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN could have easily fallen into the ranks of the "let's dress men in drag for laughs" films that followed THE BIRDCAGE and usually end up being unfunny and at times less than dignified slapstick. With excellent direction from Stefan Ruzowitzky and a strong ensemble of actors this film about the Brits sending a team of men to capture the Enigma machine from a Nazi factory that only employs women in Berlin (hence the need to be in drag) succeeds with grace and warmth and tenderness - and humor. Eddie Izzard is hilarious as a cross-dressing entertainer who is assigned the duty of transforming a team of macho guys into credible women (which he succeeds in doing!). The team is ably led by Matt LeBlanc and includes David Birkin and James Cosmo, each with their own personal stories that make the story more believable. Their 'contact' is the German spy Nicolette Krebitz and with her help and a lot of surprises the mission is 'accomplished'. Yes, this is a comedy with many good belly laughs, but it also is a tender rendering of how men and women (and children) relate under the stresses of war. The cinematography is first class without blowing the story out of real proportion. Recommended for the whole family.

Rating:
Summary: Umm...okay
Review: All The Queen's Men isn't a bad movie but it isn't a very good one either. It's kind of like an extended sitcom that picks up nicely at the end and in so doing redeems itself a little bit. It's a fairly simple story about a team of spies who go undercover as women in Nazi Germany to steal a codebreaking device. Obviously most of the humor comes from the cross-dressing concept but it actually does provide somewhat of a clever action plot once the plan gets under way.

Eddie Izzard is great as always in a role that seems to be tailor-made for him. Matt LeBlanc is funny but it's hard to believe that anyone would ever be convinced that he's a woman. And not for nothing, but how can this man be a spy inside Germany when he doesn't speak German?

What's frustrating and ultimately detracting from the film is that there are numerous opportunities for sub-plots and themes that would add enormously to the story but they are not used to full advantage, except for the one involving Izzard's character's German male lover. There are some isolated moments of cleverness involving the mission, typical of what you would see in a well-crafted action film.

There are a handful of laugh-out-loud moments but don't set your expectations too high.

Rating:
Summary: Umm...okay
Review: All The Queen's Men isn't a bad movie but it isn't a very good one either. It's kind of like an extended sitcom that picks up nicely at the end and in so doing redeems itself a little bit. It's a fairly simple story about a team of spies who go undercover as women in Nazi Germany to steal a codebreaking device. Obviously most of the humor comes from the cross-dressing concept but it actually does provide somewhat of a clever action plot once the plan gets under way.

Eddie Izzard is great as always in a role that seems to be tailor-made for him. Matt LeBlanc is funny but it's hard to believe that anyone would ever be convinced that he's a woman. And not for nothing, but how can this man be a spy inside Germany when he doesn't speak German?

What's frustrating and ultimately detracting from the film is that there are numerous opportunities for sub-plots and themes that would add enormously to the story but they are not used to full advantage, except for the one involving Izzard's character's German male lover. There are some isolated moments of cleverness involving the mission, typical of what you would see in a well-crafted action film.

There are a handful of laugh-out-loud moments but don't set your expectations too high.

Rating:
Summary: Worth a look
Review: All the Queens Men is worth seeing, although I don't think you'll want to watch it over and over, which is the reason I don't give it many stars or an enthusiastic recommendation to buy it.

Matt LeBlanc's acting is fine, I'd say its just the role leave a lot to be desired. I'm sure some people will watch the film just to see Matt LeBlanc in drag. Hey, it is what it is!

If you go into this movie seeking precise historical accuracy you will be dissapointed. It is a cute World War II story, and shows how people relate under dire circumstances, particularly in the scene where they flee for the bomb shelters. Just like "Life Is Beautiful", I think society is at a point where we can discuss hard issues like World War II in a context that is a little light hearted, but doesn't take away from the human context of the serious situations.

Rating:
Summary: Despite a short theater run, quiet a good flick!
Review: I first heard about this film before it came out, as I am an Eddie Izzard fan. Disappointingly, it was in such a narrow release, that there wasn't a single theater for 200 miles playing it -- not even in Dallas! Then it closed out very quickly and took nearly 6 months to come out on DVD. Needless to say, I was rather anxious about the possible quality of the film.

I was not disappointed. The film was great! With my degree in history (concentration in fashion), I'm one to sit through an entire film (like, oh, Gladiator) and complain about the accuracy. This was spectacular! The clothes were great, even the hideous "formal" that LeBlanc wears in one scene. It's attrocious but it's not wrong. And I too noticed the "I'm 21" line. Keep in mind that the drinking age varied from state to state until the late 70s/early 80s. And that the voting age at that time was 21. My mother informs me that when she was in college in 1960, the drinking age in OK had just been changed the year before from 21 to 18. So, it is possible that is not an inaccuracy...

I will agree that LeBlanc is a weak point to this film and that I would have liked to see more of the transformation time (a la Miss Congeniality). But, I have watched this film twice already and I expect to watch it many more. If you're willing to stop thinking about what could be improved and take the film for itself, it's a fantabulous time. If you can't, well, make your list and watch it twice.

Rating:
Summary: Despite a short theater run, quiet a good flick!
Review: I first heard about this film before it came out, as I am an Eddie Izzard fan. Disappointingly, it was in such a narrow release, that there wasn't a single theater for 200 miles playing it -- not even in Dallas! Then it closed out very quickly and took nearly 6 months to come out on DVD. Needless to say, I was rather anxious about the possible quality of the film.

I was not disappointed. The film was great! With my degree in history (concentration in fashion), I'm one to sit through an entire film (like, oh, Gladiator) and complain about the accuracy. This was spectacular! The clothes were great, even the hideous "formal" that LeBlanc wears in one scene. It's attrocious but it's not wrong. And I too noticed the "I'm 21" line. Keep in mind that the drinking age varied from state to state until the late 70s/early 80s. And that the voting age at that time was 21. My mother informs me that when she was in college in 1960, the drinking age in OK had just been changed the year before from 21 to 18. So, it is possible that is not an inaccuracy...

I will agree that LeBlanc is a weak point to this film and that I would have liked to see more of the transformation time (a la Miss Congeniality). But, I have watched this film twice already and I expect to watch it many more. If you're willing to stop thinking about what could be improved and take the film for itself, it's a fantabulous time. If you can't, well, make your list and watch it twice.

Rating:
Summary: Matt LeBlanc is NOT a convincing woman
Review: I had to give it the benefit of the doubt, Eddie Izzard was in the flick and I love the guy's comedy. I had my first doubts when an English officer asks Matt LeBlanc for ID and his retort is that he's 21 and of age. Really now, in 1945 - wasn't 18 all you needed to be? The idea that an "elite" team of cross-dressers is parachuted in isn't really all that bad, but when the two worst looking "women" don't speak any German...honestly. There are some comedic highlights - I really could have just enjoyed the movie if Izzard and the kid were the only ones in it. However, it was SO bad that I finally reached a point where I couldn't go on...this movie and The Musketeer are the only two movies I've ever turned off mid-view. Please, save yourselves - drop the cash on renting this movie before you run off to buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Others might not have, but I loved this movie!
Review: I really liked this movie; I know others might have found it dumb and stupid and all that stuff, but I really really liked it. As far as I am concerened, the best character was Tony (Eddie Izzard's character), but then again, his being in the movie was the soul reason why I bought it.
If you like this kind of humor, than I suggest you at least rent it to see if you like it, but if not, rent it anyways! Give this movie a chance I think; it's very odd humor.

Rating:
Summary: Others might not have, but I loved this movie!
Review: I really liked this movie; I know others might have found it dumb and stupid and all that stuff, but I really really liked it. As far as I am concerened, the best character was Tony (Eddie Izzard's character), but then again, his being in the movie was the soul reason why I bought it.
If you like this kind of humor, than I suggest you at least rent it to see if you like it, but if not, rent it anyways! Give this movie a chance I think; it's very odd humor.