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      The Odd Job

      1978 1h 30m Comedy List
      Reviews 17% Fewer than 50 Ratings Audience Score Too timid to kill himself, a despondent man (Graham Chapman) hires a professional assassin (David Jason) to do the job for him. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      eric b Basically the answer to a trivia question ("What did Graham Chapman do between 'Holy Grail' and 'Life of Brian'?"), "The Odd Job" is a slight black comedy that lacks the surreal absurdity and heady academia to match Monty Python's genius. But it's essential viewing for fans, all the same. Arthur Harris (Chapman) decides he can't go on after his bored wife (Diana Quick) leaves him, but is too cowardly to kill himself. A quirky fool (David Jason) seeking "odd jobs" knocks on the door at just the right moment, and Arthur hires him as a stalker/assassin. However, the wife soon returns and poor Arthur can't call off the pact. Thus begins a farce in which he scrambles to dodge a series of inept murder schemes. It's a one-joke plot, but the action turns dark enough to avoid being a Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner cartoon. Meanwhile, Bill Paterson (who also appeared in Michael Palin's "A Private Function" and Terry Gilliam's "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen") shows up as a detective in his film debut, and slinky Carolyn Seymour accepts a throwaway role that requires little beyond gratuitous nudity. Director Peter Medak ("The Ruling Class," "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg") is no stranger to perversity, but this film is not his best work. But just imagine if the hit man had been played by the original casting choice: the Who's Keith Moon. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review simon d a bit silly and very dated. It's ok for a bit of light entertainment but nothing to get excited about. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Too timid to kill himself, a despondent man (Graham Chapman) hires a professional assassin (David Jason) to do the job for him.
      Director
      Peter Medak
      Genre
      Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 30m