See No Evil, Hear No Evil

On a hot city afternoon a murder rocks the storefront of a deaf craftsman who never hears the gunfire. Nearby a blind man catches the echo of the blast but cannot identify the killer. Both men are arrested for the crime but soon break free, joining forces in an uneasy partnership. With the police, the original killers, and their own misreadings closing in, they improvise a plan built on quick wits, bold luck, and stubborn teamwork. The situation spirals from mistaken identity to a reckless chase, forcing them to rely on each others differences rather than fear them. What starts as a zany misadventure gradually tests loyalty, reveals unlikely strengths, and turns a straightforward manhunt into something neither man anticipated.

Directed by Arthur Hiller, the 1989 comedy See No Evil Hear No Evil pairs Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder in a fast paced buddy caper. It stems from an original screenplay by Arne Sultan, Earl Barret, and Andrew Kurtzman.

With a production budget of 18 million, the film earned about 46.9 million worldwide, offering a solid though modest return. The numbers reflect a dependable audience draw for a late 1980s comedy anchored by Pryor and Wilder in theaters nationwide.

Apart from its stars chemistry and brisk pacing the film is remembered as a showcase for the Pryor Wilder pairing a combination that defined a late screen era of buddy comedies. It leans into physical humor and misunderstandings about disability that sparked both laughter and debate and discourse across generations.

Critics offered a mixed response, while audiences rated it about 6.753 out of 10 based on 1,041 votes. The film probes friendship across differences and the power of teamwork when two very different men stumble into a crime caper, testing trust and resourcefulness. Its humor still lands with fans today.