I Love You, Alice B. Toklas

I Love You, Alice B. Toklas is a charming and eccentric comedy film released in 1968 and directed by Hy Averback. The film starred versatile actor Peter Sellers, who is perhaps best known for his remarkable portrayal of Detectives Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther film series. The supporting cast featured the eminent American actress Jo Van Fleet, renowned for her intense acting style and plays on Broadway; Leigh Taylor-Young, an Emmy-winning actress; Joyce Van Patten, known for her extensive work in film, stage, and television; and David Arkin, a stage, film, and television actor.

The script, penned by Paul Mazursky and Larry Tucker, present a whimsical and comedic representation of the 1960s counterculture and the hippie lifestyle. It tells the story of Harold Fine, portrayed by Peter Sellers, a successful lawyer living in Los Angeles who is engaged to the snobbish and traditional Joyce, played by Joyce Van Patten. Harold's life seems predestined, as he follows the same daily routine, embodying the epitome of a law-abiding citizen immersed in the commercial society of modern America.

Jo Van Fleet plays Harold's strong-willed mother, while David Arkin portrays the character of Harold's free-spirited brother, Herbie. Herbie is immersed in the counterculture movement, adopting a bohemian lifestyle that contrasts direly with Harold's predictable life.

The plot takes an unusual turn when Harold meets his brother's flower-child girlfriend, Nancy, portrayed by Leigh Taylor-Young. Unlike Joyce, Nancy is free-spirited, open-minded, and non-conformist, traits that begin to influence Harold's otherwise staid perspective on life.

The film derives its quirky title from Alice B. Toklas, a literary figure known for her association with Gertrude Stein and her unusual cookbook containing a recipe for marijuana-laced brownies. The film uses this curious historical tidbit as a catalyst to initiate Harold's transition from a traditional, middle-class lawyer to a modern, free-thinking hippie as he embraces the radical philosophies of the era and the use of marijuana.

I Love You, Alice B. Toklas evocatively captures the zeitgeist of the late '60s, showcasing how two diametrically opposing lifestyle ideologies—rigid materialism and free-spirited bohemianism—coexisted during that era. Through Sellers’ stellar performance, the film humorously explores themes of identity, societal rebellion, and personal transformation, delivering the viewers a refreshing blend of hilarity and thought-provoking insight in the process.

Along with fine performances by the cast, Peter Sellers' effortless transition from a frantic and anxious bridegroom-to-be to a mellow, easy-going hippie is commendable, adding depth and an extra layer of humor to the plot. It's this journey into an entirely different universe of traditions, beliefs, and lifestyle habits that makes Harold's character engaging.

Another commendable aspect of the movie is its depiction of women characters. Leigh Taylor-Young plays an independent and progressive woman who does not conform to societal norms. At the same time, Joyce Van Patten's portrayal of Joyce, a woman holding on to her traditional ideas about relationships, provides an accurate depiction of the diverse women's perspectives during that time.

The movie cleverly uses comedy to depict the upliftment of human consciousness as well as the societal changes taking place during the 1960s. Alongside the comedy, the movie showcases diverse lifestyles and draws attention to intense societal pressures.

Overall, I Love You, Alice B. Toklas is a remarkable film that serves a slice of the late '60s counterculture, artfully blending comedy, societal critique, and character-led drama. Peter Sellers' innate comic timing and the supporting cast's stellar performances make it a film worth watching. AUDIENCE's exploration of the human consciousness, identity, societal structures, and the crippling effects of routine life through humor sets it apart and makes it a timeless piece in the comedy genre.