The Ritz

The Ritz is a 1976 film saturated with humor, hysterics, and colorful characters that drives a wildly engaging narrative. Directed by Richard Lester, the movie is an adaptation of Terrence McNally's play of the same name. The film stars Jack Weston, Rita Moreno, and Jerry Stiller, exhibiting a dynamic ensemble that brings the storyline to life in a brilliantly orchestrated comedic symphony.

In the movie, Jack Weston plays Gaetano Proclo, a heavyset, middle-aged Italian-American from Cleveland. Gaetano finds himself hunted by his brother-in-law, Carmine Vespucci, played by Jerry Stiller. In an attempt to outrun Vespucci, who is a mobster with a murderous intent after a business deal gone sour, Gaetano stumbles into the Ritz, which he assumes to be a conventional hotel. Unbeknownst to him, the Ritz is actually a gay bathhouse, filled with quirky characters and outrageous situations. The ensuing hilarity is fueled by Gaetano’s cluelessness and desperate bids to keep his identity hidden from the many eccentric patrons as well as his dangerous pursuer.

Rita Moreno plays Googie Gomez, an aspiring Puerto Rican actress who believes Gaetano to be a famous Broadway producer. Moreno infuses Googie with an infectious exuberance, her character zany, melodramatic, and endearing. Her full-throttle performance won Moreno a Golden Globe nomination and praise for bringing the stage character to screen with lan. As she attempts to win over Gaetano for the supposed purpose of advancing her acting career, she adds an extra layer of humor filled with memorable one-liners and a hilariously abysmal singing performance.

The movie also introduces other unforgettable characters. We meet Claude, the tough yet amicable bathhouse manager who believes Gaetano is actually a new detective hired to clean up the establishment. Then there's the bathing beauty Chris, an endless source of comic relief, whose near-naked fistfights and chase sequences turn the labyrinthine bathhouse into a frenzied, comical playground. Subplots woven around these characters anchor the main narrative, each serving up its own version of comedy and chaos, making The Ritz a melting pot of humor, gripping suspense, and fantastic performances.

At the heart of its comedy, The Ritz also sheds light on the gay scene in New York during the 1970s. The bathhouse serves as the perfect backdrop to this, and while avoiding explicit content, it treats homosexuality in a respectful and normalized manner. It balances its comedic narrative with a nuanced representation of a subculture not usually portrayed on the big screen during its time. This context provides an additional dimension of significance to the movie and underscores its importance in film history.

Apart from the splendid performances, The Ritz also excels in its technical aspects. Richard Lester's direction is superb, extracting the very best performances from his cast and maintaining a constant sense of momentum and farce. The script by Terrence McNally, based on his own play, is packed with witticisms and perfectly orchestrated comedic set pieces. The plot moves along briskly, never letting up its zany energy. The cinematography brilliantly emphasizes the maze-like construction of the bathhouse, enhancing the claustrophobic slapstick chase sequences. Editor John Victor-Smith's work in slicing together the high-paced scenes only ratchets up the film's excitement and overall comedy.

Overall, The Ritz is an uproarious and light-hearted comedy rich in both character and narrative. Its portrayal of a wide range of characters allows for much humor, heart, and unexpected depth. This movie offers a beautiful cocktail of hilarity, empathy, chaos, and madcap chases, set against the unique backdrop of a ‘70s gay bathhouse. Its clever play on mistaken identities, farcical chase sequences, and delightful witticisms make it a standout comedic caper. It's an experience where you laugh and explore the character's depth while painting an intriguing picture of the time's social milieu. A spirited cinematic recreation of its Broadway source material, The Ritz captures the play's high-energy comedy while expanding it into a larger, vividly realized idiosyncratic world.