Common Sense Media Review
One of the wildest romantic farces ever.
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Some Like It Hot
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 22 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a mix of humor and charm, often highlighted by the performances of its stars, but it also contains elements that feel dated or inappropriate for younger viewers. While many appreciate its wit and classic status, others feel certain scenes may be boring or too romantic, making it less suitable for kids.
- funny moments
- classic status
- dated elements
- inappropriate for kids
- romantic overtures
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In SOME LIKE IT HOT, musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) accidentally witness the St. Valentine's Day massacre of a group of bootleggers by Spats Columbo (George Raft) and his mob. Desperate to get out of town, they accept a job with a band on its way to Florida -- an all-girl band -- and they dress as women, calling themselves "Josephine" and "Daphne." When they get to Florida, Joe adopts yet another disguise, this time as a wealthy bachelor, and attempts to woo the band's lead singer, Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe). Meanwhile, Osgood (Joe E. Brown), an actual wealthy bachelor, is interested in "Daphne." Meanwhile, Spats and his gang arrive at the hotel for a conference with other gang leaders, which results in even more bloodshed. Can Joe get the girl and get away from Spats?
Is It Any Good?
This is one of the wildest farces ever filmed, but it has a lot of heart as well, with brilliant performances by all three stars. Monroe is heartbreakingly vulnerable as Sugar in Some Like It Hot, explaining that she always gets "the fuzzy end of the lollypop." Joe must become someone else in order to learn the truth about Sugar (who would never have confided in a man) and about himself (as he sees the consequences of his exploitive behavior and feels what it is like to have men try to force their attentions on him). Jerry, hilariously, turns out to be as suggestible as a woman as he was as a man. As himself, he ends up going along with whatever Joe tells him. In women's clothes, he starts to think of himself as a woman. The scene where he tells Joe he and Osgood are engaged is a classic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters change from their experiences in Some Like It Hot. How does Joe change, and what makes him change? What does he learn from being dressed as a woman? How do Joe and Jerry react differently to dressing as women? How does Sugar behave differently with "Junior" and "Josephine"?
How does the movie present drinking? Do you think the characters drink too much? Does their behavior seem realistic/believable? Are there consequences for what they do?
How do Joe and Jerry react when other men try to force their attentions on them while they're dressed as women? What do they learn? How does this relate to issues of sexism in modern society?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 29, 1959
- On DVD or streaming : November 20, 2018
- Cast : Jack Lemmon , Marilyn Monroe , Tony Curtis
- Director : Billy Wilder
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 121 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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