Critics reviews

From the sleight of hand card trickery that plays out under its opening credits to its hilariously enacted case of intentionally-mistaken identity, the film is an increasing volley of duplicity and modified perception. But it's more than just what happens _in_ the film. This 1972 spy movie send-up is itself a cleverly crafted ruse, a straight-faced farce that incorporates most everything one associates the cinematic sub-genre and slyly points out the subtle silliness inherent in its recurrent conventions.

Mr. Robert, a former nightclub performer who died in 2002, casts himself as François and company's frustrated conductor. His cameo is more than appropriate. Briskly paced and exceedingly droll, "The Tall Blond Man" is nothing if not well orchestrated.