Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot, released in 1959, is a screwball comedy of the highest order. Starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon, the film is a whirlwind of mistaken identities, mobsters, and romantic entanglements. Set during the Prohibition era, the story follows two musicians, Joe and Jerry, who witness a gangland massacre. To escape the mob, they disguise themselves as women and join an all-female band heading to Florida.
Joe and Jerry, now going by Josephine and Daphne, are immediately thrown into a world of feminine camaraderie and romantic chaos. Curtis and Lemmon fully commit to their characters, creating two of the most memorable comedic performances in film history. Monroe is at her effervescent best as Sugar Kane, the band’s vocalist, capturing her unique blend of charm and vulnerability. The situations that Joe and Jerry find themselves in are consistently funny, ranging from trying to navigate life as women to dodging advances from both men and other women.
The film is a masterclass in timing and witty dialogue, with every scene brimming with energy and laugh-out-loud moments. Wilder’s direction keeps the narrative moving at a rapid pace, never allowing the humor to flag. Some Like It Hot is not just a silly romp, though. It also touches on themes of acceptance and identity, playing with ideas about gender and societal expectations. This movie has a timeless quality; its humor and performances have stood the test of time, and it remains one of cinema’s most celebrated comedies. It’s a joy from beginning to end.
