The Truth About Charlie (1963)

It seems blasphemous to remake Stanley Donen's classic romantic thriller Charade, but The Truth About Charlie achieves its own unique identity. Rather than mimic the inimitable chemistry of the original, director Jonathan Demme takes a vividly contemporary approach, with Mark Wahlberg and Thandie Newton well cast in roles originated by Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. The plot's essentially the same, kicking into high gear when Newton--the unwitting courier of a priceless treasure--is chased around Paris by her murdered husband's military cohorts, an avuncular embassy official (Tim Robbins), and a suave stranger (Wahlberg) whose true identity remains elusive. In a film filled with twists and turns, Demme fails to find a consistent tone of humor, romance, and danger. But he's crafted a peculiar Parisian valentine, seasoned with Gallic cameos (singer Charles Aznavour, Anna Karina, director Agnès Varda) and vibrantly alive with music, style, and forward momentum. Charade it's not, but that's not necessarily a complaint. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Bonus: Excellent anamorphic transfer of "Charade"!

I purchased this DVD from Amazon (a real bargain, "used-like-new" for less than five dollars, including shipping cost) to get a reasonably priced version of the original movie "Charade", filmed in 1963. Many DVD editions of "Charade" have been released, and to judge by the numerous reviews on this site, most of these previous releases have very poor video transfers to DVD.

The version of "Charade" presented on the flip side of "The Truth about Charlie" is, however, quite good--surprisingly good! "Charade", starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, is presented here in a clean, anamorphic widescreen format, enhanced for 16x9 aspect-ratio, large-screen TVs. The colors are excellent, great skin tones, and the mono sound is fine, considering the age of the film. There is little (if any) graininess, even in the night scences (the blacks are very deep).

The Criterion Collection sells a very expensive, remastered version of "Charade" (I have not seen it)--but, in my opinion, there is very little room for additional enhancement of the version included here--especially considering the big price difference. "Charade" looks simply terrific on my large screen, high-defintion TV, played on my Toshiba HD DVD player (the "upconversion" helps). I eventually will watch "The Truth about Charlie"--but if you want an excellent version of "Charade"--this is the DVD to buy. Highly recommended! September 4, 2008

This is one atrocious movie

Where do I even begin? How about bad acting, bad story, bad script and chemistry. This movie has them all. Not recommended. August 19, 2007

Hmmmm.....

I couldn't wait to see this movie since it was a remake of one of my favorite movies. What a bust! It was hardly an adaptation and then boring to boot! Don't waste your time in renting or buying this movie. April 12, 2007

Truth About this Movie is that......... it Sucks

Where do I begin? Well for starters the poor dialog, the complete lack of any plausible plot line, and the absence of acting talent. This is by far the worst movie I have ever seen. It was a complete waste of time if I were able to give it demerits I would have DO NOT RENT, DO NOT PURCHASE, DO NOT EVEN BORROW IT FROM A FRIEND. April 10, 2007

Worst remake I've ever seen.

Appalling. It's not like there wasn't a formula for the makers of this pointless remake to follow, the original worked, it could have been updated, if not equalled.

Instead, Demme throws out everything that made the original great - romance, humor, suspense, intelligent pacing, all so he can make a movie that seems to parody mainstream genre films and acts as a self-satisfied exercise in "New Wave" mimicry.

Except the "New Wave" films were just that, new, they were doing something original. Demme's film seems an excuse for him to enjoy working in Paris, it certainly isn't coherent. Plot elements are raised, then forgotten, and what on earth is the crazy mother who murders people doing here, is this a comedy? By the maddening finale, the characters seem to have lost interest in the mystery, just as the audience has done by this point.

Obviously remaking a film with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, two of the greatest movie stars of all time, was going to be difficult, but why even bother when all you have to offer is Marky Mark and Thandie Newton. With George Clooney and Nicole Kidman, or others of that caliber, it might have been a good idea, the original works because of the star power and their chemistry. This poor enterprise was doomed from the start.

The definition of the pointless remake, makes Gus Van Sant's "Psycho" seem creative and original. June 7, 2006

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