Some Like It Hot (1959)

It’s absolutely thrilling how funny and rather progressive “Some Like It Hot” is, even a full 60 years after its release. The main story isn’t particularly original, but Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are so perfect in their lead roles that it’s a pleasure to just abandon yourself to the movie’s lightness. For his part, Lemmon gives an energetic, animated performance, while Curtis instead goes for broke and treats the material seriously, and the two contrasting approaches makes every scene memorable in different ways. Marilyn Monroe is on hand as an unlikely love interest, but this is Curtis and Lemmon’s show, and writer-director Billy Wilder and I.A.D. Diamond’s screenplay is laugh out loud funny. Despite its age, the movie has a surprisingly progressive attitude towards gender roles and the different pressures experienced by the two sexes, but it doesn’t get bogged down by politics and instead focuses on its characters, and the finished product is a charming classic.

Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)