Foul Play

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Foul Play

PG

1978

1h 56m

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Librarian Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) leads a relatively uneventful life. When she looks to shake things up, she somehow winds up in the middle of an assassination plot against the pope. Calling the police, Mundy meets the hapless detective Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase), who takes the case. During the course of the investigation, the two fall in love, but the assassin (Marc Lawrence) is still after Mundy -- and anyone with her -- to keep her from foiling the plot.

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Critics Consensus

Entertaining and charming like its charismatic leads, Foul Play is a rollicking homage to the master of suspense for those who prefer mysteries with gags on top.

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

One recognizes the romantic comedy impulse behind the sexual sparrings of Hawn and Chase. It's the execution that leaves everything to be desired.

May 9, 2017

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Variety Staff

Variety

Writer Colin Higgins makes a good directorial bow.

Oct 30, 2007

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Time Out

Unsatisfactory as a whole, the film is hilarious and tense in bits.

Jan 26, 2006

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This breezy picture was clearly inspired by the Alfred Hitchcock filmography.

Rated: 3/4

May 6, 2025

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Foul Play may not date as well as one would like but still prove to be charming, often-hilarious and a fabulous vehicle for one of the screen’s greatest female stars.

Rated: A-

Apr 28, 2025

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

At 116 minutes, there’s simply too much space for momentum to dissipate, whether from gags like Burgess Meredith as an unexpected action hero or vivid automobile stunts, and Foul Play feels as much like a missed opportunity now as in its heyday.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 22, 2025

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Melinda W

My daughter and I love, love, love this movie, and we can quote it word for word. I grew up watching this movie in the 80s when the first house on our street got a VCR!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/03/25

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S R

Unlike anything I've ever seen. It was so bad it was good. Props for the Mikado, Hitchcock dwarves, Japanese Tourists and the not being able to decide between suspense and romantic comedy. It was on YouTube.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/04/23

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Kimberly A

A classic… fun, mystery, and comedy all in one. Love this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/23

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caitlyn h

My all-time favorite movie. Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, San Francisco, albinism AND dwarves!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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isla s

This is a pretty cheesy film - cheesy but amusing. There are some pretty big names present in the cast, from Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase to Dudley Moore. It dates from 1978 and it has some pretty sexist moments. I felt frustrated for the female character - goodness knows Goldie Hawn has had to play scared young(ish) women for a long time, who often male characters take what's said with a pinch of salt. It's an easy watch and is fairly entertaining and I sort of liked the quirkiness aspect of it but it's not the kind of film I'm likely to remember in much detail or want to see again really. The old 'damsel in distress' plotline feels so outdated and uncomfortable to me but that's just my opinion. There are some surprisingly amusing pieces of dialogue present, that aside. It's worth a watch if your particularly interested in it I suppose but otherwise I wouldn't say its worth paying much to see as such. An alright film, mildly amusing and cringe-y at the same time. Esme - how many times do I have to tell you? don't eat the cigarettes!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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joel h

With a cast that includes Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, and Dudley Moore, I expected a lot more comedy from Foul Play. Instead, I got a pseudo-Hitchcockian thriller that's lacking in the thrills department. It's kind of amusing in parts, but I certainly wouldn't call it funny, and the mystery isn't very compelling. This isn't a bad movie; it just feels like a lot of wasted potential.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Colin Higgins

Director

Goldie Hawn

Gloria Mundy

Chevy Chase

Tony Carlson

Burgess Meredith

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Gerda Casswell

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Synopsis

Librarian Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) leads a relatively uneventful life. When she looks to shake things up, she somehow winds up in the middle of an assassination plot against the pope. Calling the police, Mundy meets the hapless detective Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase), who takes the case. During the course of the investigation, the two fall in love, but the assassin (Marc Lawrence) is still after Mundy -- and anyone with her -- to keep her from foiling the plot.

Director: Colin Higgins
Producer: Thomas L. Miller, Edward K. Milkis
Screenwriter: Colin Higgins
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 14, 1978, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jan 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 56m

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