“How to Murder Your Wife” (1965): A Mixed Bag of Laughs and Cringe

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Jack Lemmon shines as Stanley Ford, a lifelong bachelor cartoonist whose drunken antics and reluctant plunge into marriage drive this dark comedy. The film’s humor hinges on his physical comedy—think expanding waistlines from Italian cooking and lightbulb-electrocution mishaps. His habit of acting out comic strip scenes before drawing them adds genuine laughs, showcasing Lemmon’s genius.


The Good: Vintage Lemmon

  • Physical comedy gold: Slapstick moments (like the infamous lightbulb scene) highlight Lemmon’s talent.
  • Creative flair: Reenacting comic strip scenarios blurs fiction and reality in clever, absurd ways.
  • Charming chemistry: Virna Lisi’s character softens Stanley’s edges, offering glimmers of genuine connection.

The Dated: 1960s Gender Dynamics
The film’s “battle of the sexes” premise hasn’t aged well:

  • Misogyny as punchlines: Women are reduced to objects (bachelor parties turn wakes for “lost freedom”) or manipulators.
  • Marriage as imprisonment: The mustache-growing rebellion feels tragic, not funny, in today’s context.
  • Scantily clad stereotypes: Lisi’s wardrobe choices prioritize male gaze over character depth.

The Uncomfortable: Mutual Manipulation
Both genders weaponize distrust:

  • Stanley’s friends celebrate freedom when weddings collapse.
  • Wives use emotional blackmail (no motorcycles, no mustache, no independence).
  • The title’s dark premise—fantasizing spousal murder—feels jarringly mean-spirited.

Verdict: A Time Capsule, Not a Blueprint
While How to Murder Your Wife offers laughs through Lemmon’s brilliance, its gender politics clash with modern values. It’s best viewed as a cultural artifact—a reminder of how far we’ve come (and how far we still need to go) in portraying mutual respect in relationships.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (for Lemmon) / ⭐️ (for messaging) 

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