Foul Play

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Foul Play

PG

1978

1h 56m

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

31 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.

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

05/09/2017

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

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Variety Staff

Variety

10/30/2007

Writer Colin Higgins makes a good directorial bow.

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Time Out

01/26/2006

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

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Mar 11

4/5

a sub-Hitchockian thriller that doesn’t get too bogged down in reality. In a very 1978 anything-goes mode, it’s got pet snakes, dope-smoking cops, two songs from Barry Manilow, Dudley Moore dancing to the Bee Gees; it’s a time capsule of past times….

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

May 6

3/4

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

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Apr 28

A-

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.

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Nick C.

@dmcrra35 Nov 7

Great chemistry with chase, moore and hawn. Loved it.

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Robin H

@RT03192037 Oct 23

The interview with Gloria near the beginning is still the funniest thing on film. As a whole it is delightful nonsense. Dudley Moore is great in it. I remember watching the bedroom section as a teenager when that stuff was still a bit shocking.

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Melinda W

@RT36270041 01/03/2025

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!

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S R

@ScottR 09/04/2023

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.

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caitlyn h

@RT60893665 01/21/2023

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

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isla s

@RT89656869 09/03/2022

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!

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Colin Higgins

Director

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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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