Groucho Marx was a comedy genius and a near-unparalleled master at rapid-fire and wit, with an immediately recognisable appearance. His partnership with the rest of the Marx brothers Chico, Harpo and Zeppo was iconic, and the best of their films together among the funniest comedies/films ever made with many classic scenes and lines.
Likewise Carmen Miranda was nicknamed "The Brazilian Bombshell" for a very good reason. She was a truly exuberant performer and a deservedly popular radio star, with a very at the time unique sense of fashion and an immediately distinctive singing and dancing style. In the films she starred in, some of them were very entertaining if not devoid of flaws while others varied in entertainment value and had major imperfections ('Copacabana is one such example) but Miranda stole the show or was one of the best assets for many of them.
While Groucho and Miranda come off quite well, though neither at their best, they deserved better than this otherwise lacklustre affair. They are certainly the best things about it this said. Groucho fared better with zanier and much cleverer material and when he was partnered with the rest of the Marx Brothers, but he still shows off his rapid-fire and witty delivery well enough and has an air of charm about him. It is especially with Miranda and her scenes where 'Copacabana' properly comes to life, her performance is classic Carmen Miranda and one does wish that her enthusiasm and exuberance could be seen in a much better film much worthier of her talents.
Their partnership on paper seemed somewhat of an odd one, due to that their styles of performing are so completely different to one another which did suggest a major mismatch, but they are actually surprisingly enjoyable together. There are two good songs, Groucho's "Go West Young Man" and particularly Miranda's "Tico Tico", the latter being my pick for the highlight of 'Copacabana'. There are a few mildly amusing scenes with them, especially with Miranda, and the film has a good amount of energy with them together and with Miranda on her own.
'Copacabana' has major faults though. That Groucho and Miranda have a few mildly amusing scenes has been discussed, but there are also a few dull and annoying ones due to lacking material and a little over-acting, Groucho does generally come off well but he does over-compensate in weaker moments (hope this doesn't come off too contradictory). The film is mostly consumed by the musical numbers, and unfortunately only two are good, the rest range from the forgettable to the awful and interminably dull ("Stranger Things Have Happened" grinds everything to a halt and it is difficult to fight sleep, or even drowsiness).
Also in 'Copacabana' is a fantasy dream sequence, that could have been a highlight if done well, instead it was over-extended, went on for too long and was not that imaginatively or even interestingly staged. 'Copacabana' is a real cheapie visually, everything looks as though it was made hastily and on a low-budget and it cries out for colour. As well as the musical numbers, a sub-plot between Steve Cochran and Gloria Jean is focused on too much (to the point where Groucho and Miranda disappear completely for a stretch of the film) and cripples 'Copacabana', it suffers from cheesiness and lacking any charm or energy, lack of personality or star power from either Cochran and Jean (despite the latter's beautiful appearance and voice, inexperience shows massively here) doesn't help.
Other flaws are Andy Russell, who looks handsome and sings wonderfully but is a complete blank as an actor and his smile grates more than it beguiles; a very clunky script that is not as funny or as clever as it should have been and a story that is so slight to the point that it struggles to sustain momentum to justify the film's near-overlong length and goes overboard with the silliness and sheer idiocy. Alfred E. Green tries and struggles to rise above the material (which was near-impossible to do) or bring much sense that he was at ease with or know what to do with it.
In conclusion, Groucho and Miranda don't come off too badly (far from it) and saves an otherwise lacklustre film from a complete misfire or even worse a turkey. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Likewise Carmen Miranda was nicknamed "The Brazilian Bombshell" for a very good reason. She was a truly exuberant performer and a deservedly popular radio star, with a very at the time unique sense of fashion and an immediately distinctive singing and dancing style. In the films she starred in, some of them were very entertaining if not devoid of flaws while others varied in entertainment value and had major imperfections ('Copacabana is one such example) but Miranda stole the show or was one of the best assets for many of them.
While Groucho and Miranda come off quite well, though neither at their best, they deserved better than this otherwise lacklustre affair. They are certainly the best things about it this said. Groucho fared better with zanier and much cleverer material and when he was partnered with the rest of the Marx Brothers, but he still shows off his rapid-fire and witty delivery well enough and has an air of charm about him. It is especially with Miranda and her scenes where 'Copacabana' properly comes to life, her performance is classic Carmen Miranda and one does wish that her enthusiasm and exuberance could be seen in a much better film much worthier of her talents.
Their partnership on paper seemed somewhat of an odd one, due to that their styles of performing are so completely different to one another which did suggest a major mismatch, but they are actually surprisingly enjoyable together. There are two good songs, Groucho's "Go West Young Man" and particularly Miranda's "Tico Tico", the latter being my pick for the highlight of 'Copacabana'. There are a few mildly amusing scenes with them, especially with Miranda, and the film has a good amount of energy with them together and with Miranda on her own.
'Copacabana' has major faults though. That Groucho and Miranda have a few mildly amusing scenes has been discussed, but there are also a few dull and annoying ones due to lacking material and a little over-acting, Groucho does generally come off well but he does over-compensate in weaker moments (hope this doesn't come off too contradictory). The film is mostly consumed by the musical numbers, and unfortunately only two are good, the rest range from the forgettable to the awful and interminably dull ("Stranger Things Have Happened" grinds everything to a halt and it is difficult to fight sleep, or even drowsiness).
Also in 'Copacabana' is a fantasy dream sequence, that could have been a highlight if done well, instead it was over-extended, went on for too long and was not that imaginatively or even interestingly staged. 'Copacabana' is a real cheapie visually, everything looks as though it was made hastily and on a low-budget and it cries out for colour. As well as the musical numbers, a sub-plot between Steve Cochran and Gloria Jean is focused on too much (to the point where Groucho and Miranda disappear completely for a stretch of the film) and cripples 'Copacabana', it suffers from cheesiness and lacking any charm or energy, lack of personality or star power from either Cochran and Jean (despite the latter's beautiful appearance and voice, inexperience shows massively here) doesn't help.
Other flaws are Andy Russell, who looks handsome and sings wonderfully but is a complete blank as an actor and his smile grates more than it beguiles; a very clunky script that is not as funny or as clever as it should have been and a story that is so slight to the point that it struggles to sustain momentum to justify the film's near-overlong length and goes overboard with the silliness and sheer idiocy. Alfred E. Green tries and struggles to rise above the material (which was near-impossible to do) or bring much sense that he was at ease with or know what to do with it.
In conclusion, Groucho and Miranda don't come off too badly (far from it) and saves an otherwise lacklustre film from a complete misfire or even worse a turkey. 5/10 Bethany Cox