CLUE. A film for fans of clever comedies with plenty of gags

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that most people enjoy crime stories—especially the classic kind, where a group of people is trapped in an isolated location with a murderer lurking among them. Everyone is a suspect, everyone has a motive, and only the keen observation and determination of the protagonist (usually a detective) can ensure that the culprit is caught and punished. This formula has been widely used by writers, from Agatha Christie to modern authors like Stuart Turton, as well as by filmmakers such as Rian Johnson with his (soon-to-be) Knives Out trilogy or Kenneth Branagh with his (already existing) Poirot trilogy. The film world also has a fondness for parodying this theme, one of the best examples being Clue, a mid-1980s movie based on the board game of the same name.

The plot unfolds exactly as one might expect. Several strangers are invited by a mysterious host to a secluded mansion. Soon, one of them is murdered, secrets are revealed, and it turns out that everyone is somehow connected—each having a reason to kill. A race against the murderer begins, as they won’t hesitate to take more victims.

It quickly becomes apparent that the film is not meant to be taken seriously. From the opening scenes, we meet the butler, Wadsworth (played brilliantly by Tim Curry), arriving at the remote estate. Soon, the rest of the characters make their entrance, forming an eccentric and slightly chaotic ensemble. Among them are a madam, a university professor with an inappropriate fondness for young students, a former soldier, a politician’s wife, a French maid, and others. Together, they try to uncover the murderer’s identity, but since everyone suspects everyone else, the audience is in for a wild ride.

The star-studded cast clearly has a blast in their roles, delivering dialogue packed with wordplay and witty banter that at times reminds me of the sharp exchanges crafted by the late, great Stanisław Tym. Besides the aforementioned Tim Curry, the film features Christopher Lloyd, Lesley Ann Warren, Coleen Camp (from Police Academy 2), and Madeline Kahn. Kahn frequently appeared in Mel Brooks’ films, and his influence can be felt here as well, particularly through John Morris, Brooks’ longtime composer, who provided the film’s score. The screenplay also bears the mark of John Landis, a master of 1980s comedy, known for Spies Like Us and Trading Places. Landis had a knack for injecting a touch of delightful madness into his films, and Clue is no exception.

As mentioned earlier, Clue is a faithful adaptation of the board game, down to the layout of the Gothic mansion where the story takes place. However, even without that knowledge, the film remains thoroughly enjoyable. The murder mystery and events should be taken with a grain of salt, but the humor blends seamlessly with the atmosphere, making it impossible not to be engaged. A similar film, Murder by Death, was released a few years earlier with a star-studded cast, including Peter Sellers, Peter Falk, and Alec Guinness, but I personally found Clue far more entertaining. It has a better pace and is significantly funnier.

While working on the script, Landis came up with the innovative idea of filming three different endings and screening different versions in different theaters. He hoped this would encourage audiences to watch the film multiple times, but the plan backfired—viewers were satisfied with just one viewing. Fortunately, when Clue was released for home distribution, all three endings were included. Originally, the idea was to have as many endings as there were characters, but this was scrapped due to concerns over the film’s runtime.

Clue has aged remarkably well. It remains engaging, and its humor still holds up. More importantly, it’s not just for fans of classic whodunits—it’s a film for anyone who enjoys clever, fast-paced comedies filled with gags and witty dialogue.