Truffling the script with droll movie references, Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond, his co-writer, reveal their true subject: the power of Hollywood itself.

If the result isn't as hilarious as it should ideally be, it does nevertheless have moments of being very funny indeed; and it is always fascinatingly watchable.

Though Kiss Me, Stupid has the structure and comic beats of a classic bedroom farce, it's an overwhelmingly cynical assessment of male jealousy and exploitation.

It doesn't make much sense, but Wilder's beautiful use of the black-and-white widescreen frame, dazzling casting and crisp pace make it an interesting oddity.