Fluentiama Perfect cast and a good story

BoardChiri Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

SimonJack When comedy movies are dated, they often appear much less funny to people in later years. Such is the case with "The Loved One." It retains the satire of the film with its three to four targets. The main spoof is of the funeral business in California. A huge industry had grown up around it by the 1940s. That's the part of the comedy that is most dated and that is time worn. But the satire of British high society living in America, of Hollywood, and of America, as epitomized in and by Californians, are still funny decades later. One wonders about change over time. As technical progress continues to shrink the world, the distinctions of cultures and societies fade and disappear. The human race seems pointed toward a universal sameness. Should we reach that point, the distinctions that for generations have been the source of much interest, investigation, comedy and humor will be gone. Who would want to live in such a bland state? Anyway, this film is based on a very clever satire by British author, Evelyn Waugh. He wrote "The Loved One" after a 1947 trip California. He stayed a time in Hollywood to discuss the possible filming of his 1945 book, "Brideshead Revisited."The plot itself is the funniest thing about this film. Numerous actors of note appear, from cameos to major roles. Robert Morse is the main character around whom the story unravels, but his role has very little real comedy. Jonathan Winters has the major comedy lead, playing two roles as Wilbur and Harry Glenworthy. His businesslike portrayal of Wilbur is somewhat funny. But the best humor in the film comes from Rod Steiger as Mr. Joyboy. In this wildly different comedy character, Steiger shows why he is one of the great actors of the 20th century. This isn't loud laughter comedy, but the kind that elicits chuckles. Robert Morley provides the last bit of humor. John Gielgud has a significant role but the humor is long past worn out. He is Sir Francis Hinsley, uncle to Morse's Dennis Barlow. Various cameos range from a little funny to ho-hum. Dana Andrews, Milton Berle, James Coburn, Tab Hunter, Margaret Leighton, Roddy McDowall, Barbara Nichols, Lionel Stander, and Liberace are among the better-known names of the past. This movie was promoted as having something to offend everyone. I don't know that it quite achieved that even in 1965, but even legitimate mortuaries today shouldn't be offended. The film did have some dark aspects, and crudity in places. Those are still evident as such. Some may enjoy the film in the early 21st century. But many others may find its two hours too slow, or its entertainment rather lame. Here are some favorite lines. See the Quotes section under this IMDb movie page for more humorous dialog.Sir Francis Hinsley, "The people here are so kind and generous. They talk entirely for their own pleasure. And they never expect you to listen. Just remember that, dear boy - the secret of social success in this country." Sir Francis Hinsley, pointing out an actor to Dennis, "He usually plays prime ministers or butlers."Wilbur Glenworthy, "There's got to be a way to get those stiffs off my property."

thrall7 I had heard about "The Loved One" while I was in high school but never got a chance to see it during the limited run it had in my area of NYS. Years went by and I kept seeing it pop up on favorite "cult film" lists. Finally, about two years ago I finally got a chance to watch it and loved it. I'm amazed at how irreverent, cynical, and, yes, offensive it is - and just how funny it is, too. The ads for it noted that there was something to offend everyone. After finally seeing it I can definitely agree with the ad campaign. The cast is excellent. Robert Morse's transition from "wide-eyed innocent" to one of the most cynical and opportunistic characters is terrific. I was always a huge Jonathan Winters fan, and always felt that his acting was underrated. (Check him out in "The Twilight Zone" episode about a famous pool player.) The entire British ex-pat group is wonderful. Rod Stieger's turn is phenomenal, particularly when you stop to think that he appeared in "The Pawnbroker" within months of this film. Talk about two widely different roles. Finally, Annjanette Comer's change through the film is great. (By the way, look up the meaning of her character's name sometime. It's a very subtle play on the entire theme of the movie.) This film's greatest problem was that it was released at the wrong time in history. It definitely paved the way for a number of dark, very off-beat comedies that followed, like "Brewster McCloud." I can honestly say that all of those "cult film" lists that had "The Loved One" included were on the mark. You should see this long-overlooked film.

johnstonjames this is practically a companion film to Kubrick's 'Dr. Strangelove'. anyone looking for more of the same and couldn't get enough of Terry Southern's brilliant screen writing, this movie offers up more of Southern and a uncannily similar experience although it's not by director Kubrick.although i think 'Strangelove' to be the better film, in someways this movie is even hipper and more cutting edge. it's satire of the funeral industry is probably more original than satire of the atomic age and limited nuclear warfare. 'Strangelove' was right on the mark, but it's parody of the bomb and the nukes age was nothing new and had been explored heavily in the previous decade.'The Loved One' follows a similar formula to 'Strangelove', it satirizes the establishment, it's filmed in artsy, avant garde B&W, and it features a actor (Johnathan Winters) playing multiple roles. but it is a little more quirky than Kubrick's film because it offers off the wall celebrity cameos and a sense of humour that proceeded John Waters by a decade. definitely the roles of Rod Steiger and his mother are characters straight out of 'Pink Flamingos' or 'Desperate Living'.it is also notable for a outstanding cameo performance by legend Liberace who rarely made appearances as a actor which was too bad because he was considerably more talented as a actor than given credit for. this film also has a ultra cool juvenile role played by Paul Williams. even though Williams was twenty here, his character Gunther is only fifteen. the character Gunther is such a ultra cool teen because Williams gives the role his usual debonair sophistication with that certain touch of mystery that Williams is known for. not to mention director Tony Richardson has Gunther often dressed like someone out of a Tarantino film like 'Reservoir Dogs'.this is probably one of Hollywood's smartest and most effective comedies. it has brilliant insights into life and possibly the hereafter.

beatcamel I really wanted to like this film. The creative team behind it is astonishing and its cast is remarkable.However the film is obviously written by two people who know how to write novels, not films.The story just meanders and wanders and rambles and it takes quite some time to figure out exactly what is going on and what action we're supposed to be following.It's worth watching as a cultural snapshot, it's got that zany 60s laugh- in type humor happening in spades (the scene with the girls in the coffins comes to mind) but as a film itself it is a mess.