[5]

A light, fluffy, inconsequential comedy about a man who dies and is given the opportunity to return to life in another man’s body. The movie works best during it’s ‘fish out of water’ scenes, where Warren Beatty interacts with the people in his affluent host-body’s life, including some charming house servants, a duplicitous wife, and her murderous lover. For all the Oscar attention this movie received, I wasn’t terribly impressed. Elaine May has written much better material, and Beatty’s role isn’t a very challenging one. On the other hand, this movie was the first (and only) time I have ever laughed at Charles Grodin. With Julie Christie, James Mason, and Buck Henry.

Academy Award: Best Art Direction
Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Actor (Beatty), Best Supporting Actor (Jack Warden), Best Supporting Actress (Dyan Cannon), Best Musical Score