Before we begin this review, here are a few ground rules: Firstly, under no circumstances, must you take this movie too seriously. And secondly and most pertinently—just roll with Wadsworth.
Now that we’ve got those out of the way, let’s get on with the rest of this review, shall we? “Clue” is an adaptation of the popular board game ‘Cluedo,’ and revolves around a group of strangers (or are they?). There’s a sleazy and disgraced psychiatrist, a businesswoman whose target audience is sleazy and disgraced psychiatrists, a senator’s wife, a widow with quite the fatality count when it comes to ex-husbands, a bespectacled gent who’s prone to falling prey to accidents, and a colonel who causes them. All of the above are invited to a creepy mansion for a dinner party.
‘Clue’ is Full of Recurring Gags
However, the get-together soon snowballs disastrously into a night of bloody murders. As the night progresses and bodies begin to pile up, the group resorts to teaming up, splitting up, and utilising their collective brain power in order to unmask the killer. However, in the process they’ll discover their personal and professional lives intertwine, spilling dark secrets and stumbling upon new clues that threaten to expose them (please, there are ladies present!) and their many sinister deeds.
While my brain is still trying to process all the red herrings, the mathematical calculations, and the innumerable reasonings behind the murders, the movie certainly doesn’t make it any easier by presenting viewers with not one, but a total of three endings! I have to admit I was far too distracted and endlessly entertained by “Clue’s” plethora of comedic interludes. The jokes and recurring gags really do sneak up on you, and I found myself chuckling at the most inopportune moments. At one point, the guests even break into an impromptu singalong to “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” leading me to question my sanity. Such perplexities add to the odd charm of “Clue” as well as to its madcap quality.
Some Outdated Offense Amidst ‘Clue’s’ Humour
A scene from “Clue” (1985). (Photo: Paramount Pictures).
And as I mentioned earlier, one must take this movie with a pinch of salt, especially since it’s less of a serious whodunnit, and one that takes pleasure in spoofing genre tropes instead: “Clue” replaces the ominous reenactments ubiquitous in TV crime procedurals such as “Castle” or “Criminal Minds” with one that entirely relies on whimsy, wordplay, and plenty of physical comedy. It pokes jokes at the expense of its cold corpses, and the humour in “Clue” flows, no holds barred, not shying from plunging itself into dark comedy territory as well. Simply put, it is less “Murder, She Wrote” and more along the lines of “Murderville.” Additionally, there is plenty of social commentary at the judicial system and at corrupt political practices prevailing in 1950s America—a lot of which have certainly stood the test of time.
However, the movie suffers from its fair share of flaws. One of these is that the film only picks up pace in the second half, once the backgrounds and motivations of each character have come to light. Due to this, the first half is weighed down as a result of a slow-paced introduction of the major players, and requires a lot of patience.
Tim Curry is a Delight
A lot of the inside jokes didn’t land for me, as I’m not particularly a fan of board games; and as a result, I am also clueless and rather impervious to “Cluedo” itself. Although, for true aficionados of the board game, the inside jokes will probably be a bonus. The film’s other problems lie in some of its outdated views. “Clue” plays one of the characters (Professor Plum’s) constant, unwelcome advances towards the female guests off for laughs, adding discomfort but not much to the plot. Additionally, “Clue” has an abundance of outdated, derogatory terminology such as ‘fruity,’ and distasteful, half-baked attempts at humour at the expense of a closeted character. These aspects of the film certainly haven’t aged well.
A lead pipe, a rope, and other classic board game weapons make an appearance. (Photo: Paramount Pictures).
As far as performances go, Tim Curry is simply a delight as Wadsworth, who is merely a butler who buttles, but who jumps at the opportunity of sleuthing. He is also the monkey brains of this operation and the glue that holds “Clue” together. The film’s comedic writing presents him with ample opportunity to showcase his comic timing, particularly during the aforementioned reenactment scene. It is fast-paced, occasionally slapstick, and Curry owns it near the movie’s climax. Curry derives inspiration from Sherlock Holmes with his performance, but it also contains hints of ‘The Doctor’ from “Doctor Who.” This is as well as even Curry’s rendition of the killer clown Pennywise from the TV adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” with regards to certain familiar unhinged mannerisms. Clearly, this man had a ball playing this role and it shows!
Enjoy ‘Clue’ for what it is
The rest of the ensemble cast consists of such known names such as Christopher Lloyd, Madeline Kahn (of “Young Frankenstein” fame), and others offer terrific support in their respective roles. Kahn, specifically showcases a restraint that only adds to her character’s enigmatic nature. The background score by John Morris, too, is in perfect sync with the visual gags. It heightens the suspense as the plot thickens—and as the suspects scuttle to save their honour and their lives.
To make a long story short and cut straight to the chase (too late!), enjoy “Clue” for what it rightfully is. It’s a quotable comedy that acts as a front for a classic and generic murder mystery. It has all the markings of a ‘whodunnit,’ yet one which works infinitely better as a self-aware sendup of this very genre.
“Clue” is currently available to watch or rent on most streaming networks.
