Tony Mastroianni Review Collection
Sellers Holds Up Weak Film
Cleveland Press August 18, 1967
Light and amusing, though a trifle uneven, is the new Peter Sellers comedy film, "The Bobo." More so than most, "Bobo" must be identified as a Sellers comedy. The comedy situation is trifling and only a master mimic like Sellers could carry it off.
The setting is Barcelona and Sellers is a singer who is a second-rate matador, or a torero who is a second-rate singer -- take your pick.
With the aplomb of a bore who is too sure of himself to know he's a bore he invades Barcelona to offer his distinctive services to theater in pressario Adolfo Celi. No amount of discouragement from Celi can put him down.
NOW in Barcelona resides the fair Olimpia (Britt Ekland, who also is Mrs. Sellers), a beautiful but voracious woman who collects luxury apartments, expensive sports cars and other lavish gifts from men who are attracted to her and who are left a shambles forever after.
Impresario Celi decides to give singer Sellers his chance at stardom if the self-centered Sellers can conquer Olimpia in three days, thus revenging the male population of Barcelona.
Without a nickel to his name Sellers launches his campaign, wining and dining Olimpia in Barcelona's most expensive spots, displaying an ingratiating humility all the while.
SELLERS remains the funny but calm center in a storm of agitation on the part of other characters. His is an understated mimicry with the recognition that the thin material is less subject to hearty laughter than it is to knowing chuckles.
Celi is superb as a man of little patience; Miss Ekland properly cast as the Barcelona gold digger and Rossano Brazzi suave as one of her wealthy suitors.
