Rating of
4/4
As much funny as it is frightening.
memento_mori - wrote on 07/24/13
Peter Sellers is a chameleon. He knows how to blend in as many different characters, and they are always interesting to watch and make you laugh until it hurts.
The first time I watched Dr. Strangelove, I loved it. I loved everything from the risky humor to the macabre personas of the characters.
I recently watched it again, and even though I didn't enjoy it as much as before, it held up to a certain extent.
I really like its portrayal of... Just about everyone important. The Americans, the Russians, the British, the Germans and all of their political parties and systems.
The comedy here is very VERY dark and Kubrick's vision of these downright idiots speculating with people's lives in the 'war room' is just brilliant.
Although the effects don't hold up very well, and in their defense they didn't have much to begin with, they do their best to outweigh the lows with very high highs.
There are moments in this film where I simply could not contain myself. The things they speak so fondly and confidently about are just so laughable when you listen to them. I wonder how they were able to keep a straight face during takes.
To some the whole atmosphere felt more dangerous and frightening than comical, since at this time making a film of this kind was borderline unacceptable.
Black comedy is my favorite kind of humor. It is a dangerous kind if humor, because you have to be extremely careful not to cross the line, but Dr. Strangelove succeeds with every one of its jokes. It embraces its hilarious mess.
Whether it be the madness of General Ripper or the absurdity of Dr. Strangelove, Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb puts a smile on my face and makes my day a little better whenever I watch it.
