Once Upon a Crime


Once Upon a Crime is a 1992 ensemble black comedy mystery film starring Richard Lewis, John Candy, James Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Young and Ornella Muti. The film was directed by Eugene Levy. It is the remake of Mario Camerini's 1960 Italian comedy film Crimen.

Plot

The plot revolves around a series of couples in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Augie Morosco is a reformed gambler whose wife Elena Morosco is concluding a business deal, Neil Schwary is a gambler looking to strike it big and whose wife Marilyn Schwary is hoping to buy some designer clothes. Julian Peters and Phoebe met each other in Rome and are attempting to return a dachshund to the wealthy Madam Van Dougan.
Madam Van Dougan is found murdered and the interactions between Julian and Phoebe and the other couples begin to look increasingly suspicious, as Inspector Bonnard needs to unravel the clues. Over the course of the film, Augie returns to gambling, Elena has an affair and Julian sells and repurchases the dog.

Cast

The film earned negative reviews from critics. Janet Maslin of The New York Times said the film was not funny, and adding "As a general rule, films whose plots revolve around lost dogs are apt to be short on comic inspiration, and this one is no exception." The film was nominated for one Razzie Award, Worst Supporting Actress for Sean Young, where she lost to Estelle Getty in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.

Inspirations

In 2006, Abbas-Mustan known for directing thriller movies in Bollywood, adapted this movie as 36 China Town starring Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. It is a frame-by-frame, shot-to-shot imitation of Once Upon a Crime.