The Comedians is of two minds, establishing the complicated political climate of Haiti and acknowledging its poverty and oppression while focusing on rich white outsiders whose drama remains at the forefront. By no means is The Comedians guilty of something countless great works aren't as well, but it's harder to forgive considering the film's bloated runtime and general ineptitude. Despite a small ensemble, most of this narrative is incoherent and uninteresting.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton at least offer an intensity that makes their scenes together irresistible. As obsessed, unfaithful lovers, this surely wasn't a stretch for them to play. They have a palpable sexual energy that transcends the mediocre film it's trapped within. Burton handily gives the best performance here, overshadowing Taylor with her inconsistent accent. The supporting cast ranges from serviceable (Alec Guinness, Peter Ustinov) to dreadful (Paul Ford, Lillian Gish).
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