Chaos on in Monte Carlo
Phoebe (Sean Young) finds herself partnering up with fellow American Julian (Richard Lewis) when they are both in Rome and come across a lost dog with a five thousand dollar reward up for offer if it is returned to its owner in Monte Carlo. Their journey there is not without a few hiccups, none more so that when they get there and discover the owner is dead leading to them panicking and going on the run. But they are not the only one involved in the chaos of Monte Carlo as Augie Morosco (John Candy) and Neil Schwary (Jim Belushi) find themselves in the casino and losing big.
Welcome to Monte Carlo where we have comedy, confusion and what goes hand in hand with those is chaos. From fugitives with a missing dog, gamblers with no money, a dead owner, a tanned lothario and a few other things "Once Upon a Crime..." is in many ways a classic farce. The thing is that whilst having that construct of being a farce the writing in it is not always that great and when you have a farce with some humour which comes up short the result is some times a lot of noise.
But what "Once Upon a Crime..." has going on is a wonderful collection of stars who are good at delivering the over reactions. As such even when the comedy comes up short the likes of John Candy and Jim Belushi certain dial up the visual humour.
What this all boils down to is that "Once Upon a Crime..." wasn't anything special when it comes to the chaotic farce it wants to be. But it benefits from the strong cast who certainly deliver some amusing characters.
