In "The Last of Sheila", movie producer Clinton Green invites six of his friends to join him on his yacht in the south of France for what is ostensibly to play one of his "games". The game starts with Clinton handing out cards to each of the six participants. Written on each card is a secret about one of the other six people and the object of the game is to figure out which secret belongs to whom. Things go awry when Clinton is murdered and it's up to the guests to figure out who the culprit is. They undercover the fact the Clinton's invitation was for more than just to play a game.
The setup of "The Last of Sheila" is promising and after a bumpy, confusing start, things actually get going about halfway through but Herbert Ross' direction feels unfocused and unsure which is surprising. This may be due to the difficulties he encountered while filming (the actors and crew apparently were getting nauseous filming on the boat and a set had to be built). In addition, the film doesn't take advantage of the lush locales like Hitchcock did in "To Catch a Thief" and it has been inexplicably photographed with a dusty, dry look that makes everything look drab. This type of movie requires tight direction with a lush touch like the kind that Sidney Lumet provided a couple of years later with "Murder on the Orient Express". The setup feels rushed. We're not entirely sure what everyone's relationship is to one another even after they all get onto the boat. The writers (Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins) may have done this intentionally thinking it added to the mystery but coupled with Ross' muddled direction, it makes the early scenes a bit a mess. But the film eventually starts to come together and seeing the cast trying to figure out what's up is done well. The finale is a bit of a letdown though. The reveal is good and satisfying but only three of the six participants are present and this feels like we've been cheated. On the plus side, the actors are all very appealing with Richard Benjamin, James Mason and especially Dyan Cannon being the standouts. "The Last of Sheila" could have been better but as it is, it is certainly watchable and never boring.
The setup of "The Last of Sheila" is promising and after a bumpy, confusing start, things actually get going about halfway through but Herbert Ross' direction feels unfocused and unsure which is surprising. This may be due to the difficulties he encountered while filming (the actors and crew apparently were getting nauseous filming on the boat and a set had to be built). In addition, the film doesn't take advantage of the lush locales like Hitchcock did in "To Catch a Thief" and it has been inexplicably photographed with a dusty, dry look that makes everything look drab. This type of movie requires tight direction with a lush touch like the kind that Sidney Lumet provided a couple of years later with "Murder on the Orient Express". The setup feels rushed. We're not entirely sure what everyone's relationship is to one another even after they all get onto the boat. The writers (Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins) may have done this intentionally thinking it added to the mystery but coupled with Ross' muddled direction, it makes the early scenes a bit a mess. But the film eventually starts to come together and seeing the cast trying to figure out what's up is done well. The finale is a bit of a letdown though. The reveal is good and satisfying but only three of the six participants are present and this feels like we've been cheated. On the plus side, the actors are all very appealing with Richard Benjamin, James Mason and especially Dyan Cannon being the standouts. "The Last of Sheila" could have been better but as it is, it is certainly watchable and never boring.