Once Upon a Crime… (1992)

(In French, On Cable TV, November 2021) On paper, there are a lot of things to like about Once Upon a Crime: Noted comedian Eugene Levy directing a complex ensemble comedy with a cast featuring John Candy, James Belushi, Cybill Shepherd and Sean Young gallivanting around Monte Carlo in the search of justice, money and a dog. Unfortunately, the plodding result can’t match the promise of its premise. The Monaco scenery barely makes an impression, but the script itself is even more of a nonentity: while you can recognize that the film is trying to be funny, its various attempts fall flat. It doesn’t help that some of the actors aren’t playing on the same register: Candy, in particular, is doing his broad Candy stuff while the rest of the film is going for a more screwball tone. Most of the actors don’t do much with the rather limited material they’re given, and the result does not amuse nor impress. More of a misfire than an outright miss, Once Upon a Crime is not particularly impressive.