Arabesque (1966)

Director: Stanley Donen
Starring: Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Alan Badel

Synopsis:
A hieroglyphics expert is recruited to decode a cipher that could unravel a plot to shake the Middle East.

Impressions:
Director Stanley Donen and writer Peter Stone try to recapture the magic of Charade and, sadly, don't do a very good job of it. First off, Gregory Peck was woefully miscast in a role clearly meant for Cary Grant. He tries, God bless him, but a man with his gravitas is ill-suited for comedy. Still, seeing him try has a fair bit of comedic value in and of itself. Sophia Loren is okay in the female lead, but she falls well short of Audrey Hepburn's appeal. Now, given how excellent it is, you might think I'm being unfair to keep comparing this to Charade, but because that's what the filmmakers were going for, it's fair game. The plot is okay and while the one hepcat Arab is kinda funny, the supporting cast isn't nearly as colorful. It's a so-so movie in the final calculus. If you expect a second Charade, you're going to be disappointed. Take it or leave it.

Rating:
50/50