Day
118 The
Death of Stalin [2017]
Screenplay Armando Iannucci, David Schneider, Ian Martin
& Peter Fellows
Based on ‘La mort de Staline’ by Fabien Nury &
Thierry Robin
Director Armando Iannucci
Cinematography Zac Nicholson
Music Chris
Willis
Leads Steve
Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor, Andrea Riseborough, Rupert
Friend, Jason Isaacs, Michael Palin, Paddy Considine, Olga Kurylenko, Adrian
McLoughlin, Tom Brooke, Paul Chahidi
Production Main Journey, Quad Productions
IMDb 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes 96%
Very
comedically humorous Jim. A stellar cast who all had me giggling away on my
cramped economy flight. Bold of Ianucci to take on the history of the Soviet Union
but I don’t think this film should be politicised. Strange to say that about a
film which describes itself as a political satire, but I think the minute you
start criticising this film for its historical accuracy or its political
message you get bogged down in a mire of controversy you will not escape from. This
is of course because you can argue it is trivialising the deaths of millions of
men, women and children who died either for Stalin or because of him. Russian
critics may also argue that it is yet another piece of Western propaganda that demonises
the Soviet Union (whether or not it should be demonised is again best left open
for others to discuss). One has to tread carefully and therefore I like to
think of this film as absolute satire, with little to no truth lying within it,
other than the names of the politicians. You can choose to add politics and
history in yourself if you like and it may well increase your enjoyment. To be
totally honest though I just enjoyed seeing Buscemi and Tambor fight over
control of one of the most powerful forces in the world like children fighting
over the television remote when their parents leave the room for a moment. It’s
full to the brim with irony, the blackest comedy and belittling impressions of
some of the most powerful men on earth. Although I did find myself laughing
more than I thought I would, as well as the acting being superb, there was something
missing from the film that I can’t quite put my finger on. I think perhaps the
serious moments were too serious or the comedy wasn’t dark enough. I really can’t
put my finger on it. It’s hard to make to make evil rulers this funny, and Iannucci
has succeeded again.
Acting 4 / 4
Writing 3.5 / 4
Cinematography 3 / 4
Music 1.5 / 4
HWF rating 3 / 4
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