"THE IMPOSTORS" is a lot like "Some Like It Hot," but without Marilyn Monroe. Two out of work actors on the run from a third actor they have insulted stow away on a cruise ship, only to come face to face with the very person they hoped to avoid. Of course.

The two actors are Oliver Platt and Stanley Tucci, and it's readily apparent that both plan to just enjoy themselves in the roles. The opening scenes are indicative of what is to come. As the credits roll, Platt and Tucci play out a typical silent-movie lazzi. Then we see them practicing their actors "chops" in their tiny room. Indeed, most of the comedy here is slapstick, with a generous helping of scenes where people all fall over each other . . . and they're all funny.

And if Tucci has a great time in this movie, he certainly unleashes his friends as well. Campbell Scott is wonderfully ridiculous as Meistrich, who surely is created in the image Ludwig Von Siegfried from "Get Smart." Steve Buscemi is funny without doing anything, which is lucky, because he really doesn't do all that much here as Happy Franks, the suicidal stand-up comedian. But the real star of the show is Billy Connolly's flamboyant portrayal of the camp tennis pro who takes a shine to Oliver Platt. Indeed, for fans of "Some Like It Hot" the best moment in the whole film might be when Platt is trying to explain why he and Connolly cannot be married. The timing of the comedy here is first rate.

In short, I laughed as I watched this movie. I laughed out loud and often. Sometimes because the movie itself is funny, sometimes because I enjoyed the homage paid to Wilder's classic, but mostly because "The Imposters" is a joyful comedic romp.