The Man Who Knew Too Little

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The Man Who Knew Too Little

PG

1997

1h 34m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

37 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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Richard Williams

Guardian

An hour and a half of unsophisticated satire.

Feb 2, 2023

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Ryan Gilbey

Independent (UK)

A plain caper comedy which [Bill Murray] singlehandedly elevates into a goofy gem.

Feb 2, 2023

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Albert S

Who you are working for?! Blockbuster Video... Des Moines, Iowa

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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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

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Rachel H.

Somewhat violent so 4 stars

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

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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

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Jon Amiel

Director

Bill Murray

Wallace 'Wally' Ritchie

Peter Gallagher

James 'Jimmy' Ritchie

Joanne Whalley

Lorelei 'Lori'

Alfred Molina

Boris Ivanovich

Richard Wilson

Sir Roger Daggenhurst

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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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