Once Upon a Crime… Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of clueless Americans in Europe find a dead lady, a suitcase with a corpse, and a dog with a fortune, leading to a chaotic race to prove their innocence while accidentally incriminating themselves further.

🍿 Once Upon a Crime…: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Lost Dog and a Lucrative Reward

Phoebe, heartbroken and stranded in Rome, encounters Julian, an out-of-work actor. They find a dachshund with a reward posted for its return, leading them on a journey to Monte Carlo. Their hope is to return the dog to its wealthy owner for a $5,000 reward, which they plan to split.

Traveling to Monte Carlo

On the train to Monte Carlo, they encounter several colorful characters: Neil and Marilyn Schwary, a couple with marital issues and a gambling addiction, and Augie Morosco, a recovering gambling addict with his glamorous wife. A series of mishaps and a shady dog sale lead to Julian and Phoebe being forced off the train.

A Murder Mystery Unfolds

Upon arriving in Monte Carlo and visiting the dog owner’s villa, Phoebe and Julian discover the owner murdered. Fearing implication, they panic and flee, becoming prime suspects in the eyes of the local police. The ensuing chaos involves mistaken identities, stolen suitcases, and a desperate attempt to clear their names.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Phoebe (Sean Young): An American woman in Rome who gets caught up in a murder investigation after finding a lost dog with a reward.
• Julian Peters (Richard Lewis): A struggling American actor who joins Phoebe in returning the dog, becoming a suspect in the process.
• Neil Schwary (Jim Belushi): A gambling-addicted American tourist whose actions lead to him and his wife becoming murder suspects.
• Marilyn Schwary (Cybill Shepherd): Neil’s long-suffering wife who unexpectedly wins a fortune and becomes entangled in the murder mystery.
• Augie Morosco (John Candy): A recovering gambling addict traveling to meet his wife who gets drawn into the investigation due to a matchbook.
• Inspector Bonnard (Giancarlo Giannini): The determined inspector who investigates the murder and tries to unravel the web of lies.
• Alfonso de la Pena (George Hamilton): A charming Italian gigolo with a secret connection to the victim, adding another layer to the mystery.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Neil Schwary: “Are you finish…? No, are you Swedish?” – Neil sarcastically responds to a man in line at the cashier, showcasing his rude and obnoxious personality.
• Alfonso de la Pena: “It’s what I do.” – Spoken by the Italian playboy, Alfonso, when explaining his profession, highlighting his suave and somewhat ridiculous character.
• Marilyn Schwary: “I won half a million dollars!” – Marilyn exclaims her winnings, marking a turning point in her relationship with her gambling-addicted husband.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $8,669,847
• Worldwide Gross: $8,669,847

💥 Once Upon a Crime… Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and finding it hilarious, mostly because of John Candy. The whole movie is just pure silliness, and while it’s not high art, it’s a fun, lighthearted watch. The Monte Carlo setting is beautiful, and I loved the over-the-top characters. I’ll probably watch it again. It’s a great movie if you just need a little pick me up.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slapstick comedy”
  • “Viewers looking for light-hearted entertainment”
  • “Those who enjoy ensemble casts”
  • “Anyone interested in 90s comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild comedic violence”
  • “Brief scenes of gambling”
  • “Some suggestive humor”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Despite a talented cast, ‘Once Upon a Crime…’ struggles to deliver consistent laughs. The plot feels convoluted, and the humor is often broad and slapstick, missing the mark. However, the scenic Monte Carlo setting and occasional witty dialogue provide some amusement.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “This ensemble comedy has its moments, with some genuinely funny performances, especially from Cybill Shepherd and Jim Belushi. But the overall tone is uneven, and the murder mystery aspect feels underdeveloped, resulting in a mixed viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

The ensemble cast brought a lot of energy and comedic talent to the film.: Viewers appreciated the film’s lighthearted and silly humor, perfect for a relaxed evening.

Many viewers found the Monte Carlo setting visually appealing.: The film offers a fun, easy-to-watch plot with twists and turns, and a cast that kept them entertained.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted comedic mystery with an ensemble cast and scenic setting, but with uneven humor and an underdeveloped plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Eugene Levy, primarily known as an actor, directed ‘Once Upon a Crime…’ marking one of his few directorial ventures in feature films.”
• “The film is a remake of the 1960 Italian comedy ‘Crimen’, also known as ‘…And Suddenly It’s Murder’.”
• “Filming took place in picturesque locations including Rome and Monte Carlo, adding to the film’s visual appeal.”

🖥️ How to Watch Once Upon a Crime…?

Currently, ‘Once Upon a Crime…’ may be available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for availability to rent or buy the movie.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Once Upon a Crime…, you might like these similar films:

• Clue (1985): Shares the comedic murder mystery theme with an ensemble cast and quirky characters.
• Murder on the Orient Express (1974): Features a group of suspects, a detective trying to solve a murder, and a glamorous European setting.
• It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963): Involves multiple characters chasing after a reward and getting into comical situations.
• See How They Run (2022): A modern take on a comedic murder mystery with a quirky cast and unexpected twists.

🛒 Once Upon a Crime… Related Products

• Monte Carlo Casino Dice Set: A set of high-quality casino dice, reminiscent of the gambling scenes in the movie, perfect for game nights and movie-themed parties. Contains replicas of dice used in actual Monte Carlo casinos.
• Once Upon a Crime… Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster featuring the star-studded cast. A classic collectible for fans of John Candy, Jim Belushi, and Cybill Shepherd.
• “Murder Mystery Party Kit”: Host your own interactive murder mystery party, inspired by the movie’s plot twists and comedic elements. Perfect for themed gatherings and entertaining friends.
• Dachshund Plush Toy: A cute and cuddly plush toy Dachshund to honor the four-legged star of the movie. It comes with a removable plaid jacket. A soft reminder of Napoleon, the dog who inherits the fortune.

🎧 Soundtrack

Once Upon a Crime… features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Theme from Once Upon a Crime” – performed by Unconfirmed
• “Jazz Standards” – performed by Various Artists (Likely)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Once Upon a Crime EPISODE 1: Cinderella vs. Ariel

Ever wondered what would happen if Cinderella and Ariel went to court? This hilarious sketch imagines exactly that, and it’s way funnier than I expected. Definitely worth a watch if you like quirky fairy tale parodies!

Cinderella’s prince ends up choosing Little Red Riding Hood? #movie #shorts

A quick minute to recap ‘Once Upon a Crime’? Yes, please! This short video shows the funny side of the movie, especially when Prince Charming gets mixed up with Little Red Riding Hood, I chuckled quite a bit!

✨ Rate