Watch How to Murder Your Wife

How to Murder Your Wife is a classic American comedy film released in 1965, directed by Richard Quine, and starring Jack Lemmon, Virna Lisi, and Terry-Thomas. The movie follows the life of a bachelor and comic strip artist, Stanley Ford (Jack Lemmon), who enjoys his bachelorhood, beautiful women, and his love for booze. But his life takes an unexpected turn when, after having a drunken night out with Italian actress and model, Virna Lisi, as a joke, he ends up marrying her in a drunken stupor. Stanley immediately regrets it, but he finds himself bound by marriage to a woman he hardly knows.

The real problem arises when Virna Lisi's character, Mrs. Banks, starts trying to control her new husband's life. She is far from a typical housewife and insists on being treated like royalty. Stanley soon realizes the oversized impact his comic strip, "The Bachelor," has on his readers and starts incorporating imaginary scenarios into the strip featuring his wife. But when an innocent inking mix-up causes his readers to think that he is planning to kill his wife, Stanley finds himself on trial for the murder of his wife in a true-to-life court battle that is funny and entertaining.

Throughout the movie, Stanley navigates the difficulties of married life, all the while contemplating ways to dispose of his wife after realizing that he cannot stand her. Stanley and his butler, Charles (Terry-Thomas), flesh out possible murder scenarios in Stanley's "Murder Room," but the plans do not go according to plan. Finally, Stanley comes up with a bizarre and foolproof plan to kill his wife that goes surprisingly off course.

The audience is kept on their toes, guessing whether or not Stanley will follow through with his murderous intentions throughout the film. Despite being a comedy, How to Murder Your Wife also raises some serious questions about gender dynamics and relationship management, making it a movie ahead of its time. The many twists and turns in the film keep the audience engaged, and the chemistry between Jack Lemmon and Virna Lisi adds an extra dimension of sensuality and humor.

The comedy in the film is authentic and timeless, from the clever dialogue to the slapstick-style physical comedy. Jack Lemmon's depiction of a bachelor unfazed by societal conventions is funny, relatable, and endearing. Terry-Thomas as Stanley's butler and confidante is a scene-stealer in every scene he appears, delivering impeccable comic timing and witty lines with ease. Virna Lisi's performance as Mrs. Banks is also noteworthy, as she perfectly embodies the role of an assertive and intelligent woman challenging gender stereotypes.

The film's retro style and settings add another layer of beauty to the film. The opening credits feature animated illustrations of Jack Lemmon's caricature of Stanley Ford, a comic strip artist, and highlight the film's comic tone. The costumes and sets in the movie are also vibrant and classic, featuring bold colors and stylish designs.

In spite of the film's title and topic, How to Murder Your Wife is a light-hearted and enjoyable watch, with a good mix of laugh-out-loud comedy and situational irony. It is the perfect movie if you're in the mood for a classic, lighthearted comedy with plenty of laughs, twists, and turns. The film captures the essence of the swinging sixties, with a cast of characters that gives an insight into the changing social dynamics of the time. Even after decades, How to Murder Your Wife continues to be a popular movie, thanks to its timeless humor and impeccable performances.

How to Murder Your Wife is a 1965 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.