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Director: Stanley Kubrick
Director: Stanley Kubrick
"Gentleman, there is no fighting in the war room."
Kubrick knew how to do war satire, no doubt about it. Strangelove is biting commentary on the absurdity of war while at the same time still being fun. This film reminds me of Mash in that way. What I think is great about these films compared to something like Tropic Thunder is that despite the absurdity of a lot of the characters actions they still feel somewhat grounded at their core. The other thing that I love is that despite the age of this film it still feels relevant, which is no easy task in a nearly fifty year old comedy.
Quite a few of the characters in Strangelove are fantastic, but for me the standout is Scott's general. Every scene that revolves around him in the war room is priceless. His lines evoked the most laugh out loud moments for me and his character is certainly the reason that I will enjoy revisiting this film. Sellers was also good especially when he is interacting with the soldier who storms the antagonists office. Their debate over the Coke machine may be my favorite comedic moment. Strangely enough the only character that was not enjoyable to me was Strangelove himself.
Again similar to Mash what I liked a lot about the writing in Strangelove are the moments where the characters are not concentrating on war despite the severity of what is happening around them. Scott's interactions with his character's secretary are a great example of this. As is the presidents phone conversations with the Russian leader. Strangelove was not all positives for me. Like many satires there are lulls that take you out of the film. In my opinion those moments here were Strangelove's speeches and when Kubrick is showing us actual acts of war. For me these moments kept this film from being truly great.
Overall I really enjoyed Dr. Strangelove, it is definitely my favorite Kubrick film to date although I have a few to see.
Kubrick knew how to do war satire, no doubt about it. Strangelove is biting commentary on the absurdity of war while at the same time still being fun. This film reminds me of Mash in that way. What I think is great about these films compared to something like Tropic Thunder is that despite the absurdity of a lot of the characters actions they still feel somewhat grounded at their core. The other thing that I love is that despite the age of this film it still feels relevant, which is no easy task in a nearly fifty year old comedy.
Quite a few of the characters in Strangelove are fantastic, but for me the standout is Scott's general. Every scene that revolves around him in the war room is priceless. His lines evoked the most laugh out loud moments for me and his character is certainly the reason that I will enjoy revisiting this film. Sellers was also good especially when he is interacting with the soldier who storms the antagonists office. Their debate over the Coke machine may be my favorite comedic moment. Strangely enough the only character that was not enjoyable to me was Strangelove himself.
Again similar to Mash what I liked a lot about the writing in Strangelove are the moments where the characters are not concentrating on war despite the severity of what is happening around them. Scott's interactions with his character's secretary are a great example of this. As is the presidents phone conversations with the Russian leader. Strangelove was not all positives for me. Like many satires there are lulls that take you out of the film. In my opinion those moments here were Strangelove's speeches and when Kubrick is showing us actual acts of war. For me these moments kept this film from being truly great.
Overall I really enjoyed Dr. Strangelove, it is definitely my favorite Kubrick film to date although I have a few to see.