It's shocking, it's politically incorrect, it's offensive, and so there is no reason why I should like it. But it is
one the funniest films I have ever seen. Ever. I don't think Stanley Kubrick likes politics much; either that or he thoroughly
distrusts it. Note the off-kilter camera angles and the rude names he gives his characters. I also think that he's a little
disappointed by the way the government handled the Cold War; as he shows here, talking gets you nowhere. How could such a
bunch of incompetent prats lead the most powerful country through a war that wasn't even a real war? Maybe Mr. Kubrick thinks
that if we had just bombed Russia in the first place the war would have been over a whole lot sooner. I hope he really doesn't
think this.
This film is Mr. Kubrick's way of answering the big question regarding world powers and government:
why do men go to war? According to Mr. Kubrick, men go to war as a way to satisfy their sexual desires. It is a means by
which they can get off and feel manly. If they can't shag a woman then they attack another civilization and things are all
better. The use of phallic symbols (Jack Ripper and his cigar, haha) makes this point obvious. Men also like to feel manly
and tough, so they go to war. They need to feel like they are the big strong sex and that they are the protectors, the ones
that females look up to, so they fight. War relieves sexaul desires and fantasies. If they can't overpower a woman, they overpower
a country. This is also a film which shows government people what NOT to do during a war and how NOT to handle nuclear weapons.
Everything
clicks in this film. It is so absurd and bizarre yet so true and so absurd that it is an entirely possible scenario (especially
today! aren't prophetic films great?). I wonder how the film would have been done with another director, cast, etc. Cheers
to Peter Sellers who is the exception to the rule that says that men can't multitask, not even if they try. He has three roles
here (and almost had a fourth; but thankfully not, because I don't see anyone else playing Major Kong other than Slim Pickens,
who is the very picture of an overly patriotic hillbilly homeboy): Colonel Mandrake (true Sellers), the President Muffley
himself, and the title character of Strangelove, who got short changed and does not nearly get enough screen time as he deserves
(these last two characters I never knew were played by Mr. Sellers because they look nothing like him, until I read a cast
list of this film). Every actor plays their role so well and they take themselves so seriously in a film that is not so serious
that it makes everyone even funnier. These actors make their men really believe that what they're doing is right, and if
any actor thought at any point that his character was an ignorant and hopeless git they never let it show.
The best
by far though is George C. Scott who graces the screen as General Turgidson. He makes gum chewing look like an Olympic sport.
Like the others, Mr. Scott has Turgidson take himself and his role in government so seriously that it's both ridiculous and
entertaining. The next time you watch this film pay attention to Mr. Scott during his screen time and no one else. His face
is so plastic that he makes Jim Carey look like an amatuer. This is one of the funniest performances in film ever.
The
film is nicely balanced between the funny and the not so funny. We don't forget that this is a war, even though the film shows
how ridiculous war, particularly this one, can be. I can guarantee that you will quotte this film for the rest of your life.
Feeling down about the possibility of a nuclear holocaust? This is the perfect cure.
Best moment: Way too many to count, but General Turgidson tripping is pretty classic.
Worst
moment: There really isn't one.
Best quote: Oh, damn. You can't expect me to choose.
Why you should see
it: It's classic, it's hysterical, it's brilliant. See it now.
Why you should choose something else: I don't see
why you would want to.
