Movies I Love, Part V: “Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb”

Stanley Kubrick is not especially known for his sense of humor. In fact, his resume is replete with ponderous works delving into the BIG issues without much dimming perspective. All of which makes Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb more remarkable.

It is at once one of the great films ever made, one of the funniest comedies ever made, one of the most incisive political indictments ever made, a satire most incisive and one of the more visually compelling films ever made. Black and white has never been more resonant.

Which is not to mention that Peter Sellers contribution gives new meaning to the term tour de force. He plays three roles: the evil Dr. Strangelove himself, Merkin Muffley who happens to be president of the U.S. and Capt. Lionel Mandrake who is trying to scuttle the whole end of the world scenario as it riotously unfolds.

Oh yes, there’s the irrepressible Slim Pickens as Major T.J. “King” Kong, a bomber captain willing to give his all for the red, white and blue. Sterling Hayden, George C Scott, Keenen Wynn and a young James Earl Jones add to the luster of the all-star ensemble.

The buffoonery kicks in motion when a renegade general sets the SAC on the highest alert, which is to send them to Russia with a payload of nuclear bombs.

So, what you have in this 1964 masterpiece is absurdist comedy and political dilemma of the highest sort. Incredible acting, pithy dialog, marvelous visuals and timelessness underscore why this is a must see film.

Trust me, there’s nothing dated whatsoever about this. Great film making stands the test of time, and this is Kubrick’s classic. I am inclined to share some of the incredible dialog. But I shan’t. Rent this baby. You’ll be glad you did.

No Comments

No comments yet.

Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI

Leave a comment