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The Man Who Knew Too Little

Play trailer Poster for The Man Who Knew Too Little PG Released Nov 14, 1997 1h 34m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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37% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In London to celebrate his birthday with James (Peter Gallagher), his rich younger brother, hapless American Wallace Ritchie (Bill Murray) gets signed up to participate in an elaborate role-playing theater performance. However, when Wallace accidentally receives a call intended for an actual hit man, he gets caught in a web of intrigue, completely unaware that the action unfolding around him is real. Luckily, the lovely Lori (Joanne Whalley) is around to help the clueless guy out of tight spots.
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The Man Who Knew Too Little

Critics Reviews

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Richard Williams Guardian An hour and a half of unsophisticated satire. Feb 2, 2023 Full Review Ryan Gilbey Independent (UK) A plain caper comedy which [Bill Murray] singlehandedly elevates into a goofy gem. Feb 2, 2023 Full Review David Gritten Daily Telegraph (UK) In this attempt to revive Bill Murray's dwindling career as a leading man, dumb humor is the order of the day. Feb 2, 2023 Full Review Mike Davies Birmingham Post Murray, not playing mean streak for once, is on his best comic form in years, but unfortunately this is a one joke movie and Too Little does not go a long way. Feb 2, 2023 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Aside from all the fitting silliness that embellishes the storyline, the conclusion is an absolute mess. Rated: 4/10 Sep 14, 2020 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a misguided and terminally unfunny disaster that's rarely as appealing or entertaining as star Bill Murray's typically charismatic performance. Rated: 1.5/4 May 5, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Chip C Bought this movie through Columbia House VHS movies. We watched it every year until we wore out the tape. I'm not much for "Naked Gun/Happy Gilmore" type comedy/humour but Bill Murray was so good I couldn't help but like the ridiculously simple man he portrayed. I think I'm going to watch it tonight. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/21/25 Full Review CT 8 Good clean fun suitable for the whole family. That probably explains why the morally bankrupt ‘pro’ critics panned it. The cast was excellent with Murray and Molina leading the way. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/20/25 Full Review Albert S Who you are working for?! Blockbuster Video... Des Moines, Iowa Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review Alain E Plainly outrageous that this very funny movie is rated so low by the professionals. Bill Murray is very successful as the hapless Midwesterner Blockbuster employee who thinks he is taking part in a make believe action play in London, where he is visiting his accomplished banker brother. All the casting is very good with special mention of Alfred Molina as the evil butcher, Butcher, assassin. Even minor players like the elderly couple engaging in fetish BDSM are well cast. Some bad actors do die, but there is no gore. The end is not as good, but there are lots of laughs on the way there. Some funny exchanges: “Am I talking to an actor or a human being?” “ Neither sir, I am a policeman.” Nice color photography as well and a nice Bond type song with the closing credits. Today this movie would have used an army or two of digital effect operators. In 1997 they used none. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/04/25 Full Review Rachel H. Somewhat violent so 4 stars Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/22/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 1 hour and 34 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $13,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/27/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Man Who Knew Too Little

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Movie Info

Synopsis In London to celebrate his birthday with James (Peter Gallagher), his rich younger brother, hapless American Wallace Ritchie (Bill Murray) gets signed up to participate in an elaborate role-playing theater performance. However, when Wallace accidentally receives a call intended for an actual hit man, he gets caught in a web of intrigue, completely unaware that the action unfolding around him is real. Luckily, the lovely Lori (Joanne Whalley) is around to help the clueless guy out of tight spots.
Director
Jon Amiel
Producer
Mark Tarlov, Michael G. Nathanson, Arnon Milchan
Screenwriter
Robert Farrar, Howard Franklin
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Brothers, Regency Enterprises, Polaris Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 14, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.8M
Runtime
1h 34m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1), 35mm
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