Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?

Released in 1969, Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? is a truly distinct cinematic piece. Conceived by the multi-talented Anthony Newley, who directed, co-wrote, and starred in the film, it is an autobiographical fantasia that many audiences may find an enigmatic and polarizing work of art.

The movie is a surreal and satirical musical that merges various genres, continually playing with and subverting narrative expectations. The film's title character, Hieronymus Merkin, portrayed by Newley himself, is a famous and indulgent filmmaker who is trying to encapsulate his life’s history, romantic exploits, and career into a beach-bound autobiographical film, all while unraveling a meta-commentary on the nature of storytelling and fame.

As Hieronymus sifts through the confetti of his past, he focuses particularly on his relationships with women. Two of the significant women in his life are Polyester Poontang (played by Newley's real-life wife at the time, Joan Collins) and Mercy Humppe, a naïve and idealistic character portrayed by Playboy Playmate Connie Kreski. The relationships of Hieronymus fluctuate between the shallow and the deeply introspective, seemingly paralleling Newley's personal experience and ruminations on love versus lust, innocence versus corruption, and the pursuit of happiness amidst superficiality.

Milton Berle appears as the devilish presence, Goodtime Eddie Filth, who serves as Hieronymus's manager and the embodiment of commercial success and compromise. George Jessel plays the “Presence,” a figure that is equal parts celestial overseer and showbiz raconteur, while Bruce Forsyth takes on the role of the talent agent. These characters come and go with an almost dream-like quality, each adding a layer of commentary and caricature to the film's narrative.

The title has been described as an antecedent to Fellini's 8½ for its introspective examination of a creative person's life and work. However, Newley’s approach is more scattered, audacious, and irreverent, combining comedy, tragedy, music numbers, and fantasy to construct a kaleidoscope of his concerns, achievements, and personal demons. It poses existential questions and reflects on the nature of success, age, mortality, and the eternal pursuit of happiness.

The film is highly reflective of the late 1960s zeitgeist, replete with a certain psychedelic flair, unexpectedly modern cinematic experiments, and a free-spirit ethos. The structure of the film is non-linear and often feels like a stream-of-consciousness, which either captivates or confounds. Hieronymus' artistic aim within the film is to be as honest as possible, baring his soul despite the chaos and confusion that might evoke amongst his viewers—and perhaps also in the audiences watching the movie itself.

Musically, Newley's background as a song-and-dance man shines through in the numerous and elaborate musical set pieces which range from satirical to somber, with moments that could be described as surprisingly touching or startlingly confounding. The soundtrack plays an integral part in conveying the emotional and psychological journey of the protagonist, which can be regarded as a variant of Euripidean drama peppered with pop music sensibility.

Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? stands out for its audacity. It's a film that fundamentally divides opinion due to its self-indulgent profile, its opaque symbolism, and its grand, sweeping set-pieces. It demands a patient and curious viewer, one who is prepared to entertain an unusual, at times uncomfortable, exploration of ego, artistry, and authenticity.

Critically, the film received a mixed response; some critics applauded its brave and singular vision, while others decried its apparent narcissism and stylistic excess. It did not manage to secure a lasting mainstream appeal but has since gathered a dedicated cult following. It has been labeled as both a misunderstood masterpiece and a fascinating failure, but it unequivocally remains a unique artifact of its time, and a candid, if convoluted, glimpse into the psyche of its creator, Anthony Newley.

Despite the all-star cast and the ambitious, sometimes zany filmmaking employed, Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? may not resonate with every film lover due to its eccentricities and esoteric approach. Nonetheless, for those interested in boundary-pushing cinema and insightful, if indulgent, reflections on life and fame, it is certainly a film to be experienced.