Once Upon a Crime

Once Upon a Crime is a 1992 comedic mystery film directed by Eugene Levy. The movie stars an ensemble cast of notable actors, including John Candy, Jim Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Young, Richard Lewis, and Ornella Muti.

Set throughout multiple picturesque locations in Europe, the plotline is a seamlessly crafted tapestry of humorous and intriguing events focused around a mischievous Magritte-inspired dachshund dog. These events mistakenly entangle various unrelated American tourists in a high-profile murder case, providing a fresh comedic twist to the classic "wrong man" theme of Alfred Hitchcock films.

The storyline masterfully intertwines various characters and their distinct plotlines, which all converge in Monte Carlo. The film begins as the viewers are introduced to John Candy, who plays Augie Morosco, a relaxed gambler with an unquenchable enthusiasm for dogs. He carelessly agrees to care for a dog lost by a fellow American tourist, portrayed by the engaging Sean Young, who desperately needs to leave Italy.

At the same time, we meet another unique pair in Paris, Charles (Richard Lewis) and his ex-wife, Marilyn (Cybill Shepherd) - who also agree to care for a different dog. Their hilarious chemistry brings another element of amusement to the film, fueled further by their complicated personal history.

In a third plotline, we find Jim Belushi portraying Neil Schwary, a wholesome guy from New Jersey traveling with his annoying, spendthrift wife Phoebe, humorously portrayed by Ornella Muti. The couple are seen purchasing a brand new luxury sports car and setting off to Monte Carlo.

The inherent comedy of Once Upon a Crime only magnifies when the dog-sitting tourists unwittingly become murder suspects after the dachshund's owner is found dead. The intrigue and humor amplify as the hapless tourists scramble to evidence their innocence, powered by the misunderstanding that the millionaire's death may be connected to the snapshots found in our travelers' cameras by the local police.

To make things even more complicated, the tourists, unaware they're considered suspects, attempt to claim the reward offered by the deceased's family - leading to more comical misunderstandings.

The nuanced performances make the characters simply unforgettable. John Candy is delightful as Augie Morosco, whose relaxed demeanor and penchant for gambling create some hilarious scenarios. Similarly, Jim Belushi's portrayal of Neil Schwary is a journey into the complexity of a simple man's life, offering the audience an endearing character dealing with his challenging relationship dynamics.

Cybill Shepherd's Marilyn brings a dash of uncertain romance and high-end comedy to the narrative with her presence, while her interactions with Richard Lewis's Charles provide an amusing portrayal of a failed relationship turned into an unlikely detective duo.

Once Upon a Crime uses an intriguing whodunit plotline sprinkled with comedic elements to draw viewers into a captivating narrative of innocents abroad, engaging them with one hilarious twist after another. The supporting cast, including Giancarlo Giannini as Detective Bonnard, the lead investigator of the case, further enriches the movie's overall charm.

Director Eugene Levy's crisp comedic timing and flair for expansive visual humor make the most of the film's European setting, bringing the plotline to life with heightened hilarity and maintaining the movie's energetic pace throughout.

In summary, Once Upon A Crime is a charming, comedic mystery, where the intrigue lies not in who committed the murder but in how the innocent tourists will manage to extricate themselves from being the prime suspects. The humor delivered by the talented ensemble cast brings volley after volley of lighthearted laughter, proving that sometimes the journey through a crime can be just as fun as solving the mystery itself. This fun comedic offering is quite the treat, especially for fans of the actors, as it cleverly interweaves several plotlines and provides an enjoyable cinematic experience.