Then Is Different Now.
Review of ‘Dr. Strangelove’
WARNING: SPOILERS NEEDED!
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Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb tells the story of a general who sets out a memo to attack a base in Russia… And everyone goes crazy. In a War Room for several minutes, politicians try to figure out a way to stop the nuclear attack which could lead to a doomsday machine setting off killing most animals and causing the rest of humanity to repopulate.
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‘Dr. Strangelove’ is directed by Stanley Kubrick from a screenplay by Stanley Kubrick, Terry Southern, & Peter George + Based on the novel Red Alert written by Peter Bryant. The writing is confusing at times for someone like me… A moron who doesn’t understand much of war history. This means that at some points I’d be completely lost at what the politicians are saying. This doesn’t mean the movie wasn’t funny, though. This movie doesn’t take itself too seriously which leads to many humorous outbursts, dialogue, or actions from the amazing cast of characters.
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Speaking of which, what makes this movie great is how every character is different and how they have their own personality. The general is a guy who made a terrible mistake but knows what he wants in life (with a cigar always in his mouth), his assistant is a nervous wreck, the pilot is a talented cowboy, the president focuses on the task at hand, one of the politicians is a man who cares about the dangers russians can cause more than the bomb and impressed by the flight maneuvers, the russian is quiet, and Dr. Strangelove… Is strange. A man who legally changed his name, is in a wheelchair, can’t control one of his arms, has a funny voice, very smart / funny, and is able to walk at the very end of the movie. All of these characters make for a fun movie to watch about serious issues at the time (even if I can’t follow some of the writing at certain points). The cast could only be created and crafted perfectly by Stanley Kubrick.
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Director Stanley Kubrick (A Clockwork Orange) co-writes and produces the movie and decides to use practical sets, miniatures, and amazing cinematography to help create a scenario so crazy and bizarre but feel real. You feel the tension rise throughout the movie whether it's with the general being under fire, the war room, the doomsday machine, or the politician calling his wife and assuring her they’ll get married some day. Stanley is able to blend humor and tension perfectly in this movie and make it entertaining from start to finish (plus make me want to rewatch it). The choice to put it in black and white also makes the movie interesting.
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(Young Stanley)
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The cinematography by Gilbert Taylor (Star Wars: A New Hope) follows many of Stanley’s quirks. Whether it's unexpected zooms, inconsistent close ups, or shots that linger in one place for minutes on end. This is both a con and a pro. The pro being that it separates it from movies like today but it’s a con because it can take me out of the movie once in awhile.
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(Gilbert on the table & Stanley in the chair)
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The editing makes up for some inconsistent looks or actions from actors that aren’t in other shots (if that makes sense). But Gilbert knows how to setup the lighting so it’s also dynamic and different in every shot making it interesting to observe the scene for its beauty. While it’s in black and white… It’s crisper than any color film we have in 2019. The last shot of the pilot on the bomb I’ll never forget. The film also includes a shaky cam shot from under a car during a fight which is cool.
The music is also something that makes this different from 2019 movies. From a score by Laurie Johnson, the music is always suspenseful and never dull. Adding to the constant tension throughout the movie. The only levity and peace we have in the movie is in the opening credits and the last song in the film being We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn. That reminds me… There are two other songs in the movie that aren’t credited: Try a Little Tenderness by Studio Orchestra & When Johnny Comes Marching Home by ???. All the songs ranging from 1863, 1932 to 1939.
Overall, this movie is different from today's films and that’s what makes this special. 'Dr. Strangelove' would never be made today. The pros outweigh the cons… Nitpicks really. While I could see myself rewatching this for studying purposes, I’d still see myself confused about some of the writing but still laugh at some scenes. I’d recommend this to people interested in military history, Stanley Kubrick films, or want to watch something different.
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(P.S. Some of the special effects aren’t that good.)
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(P.P.S. Peter Sellers plays multiple characters including the President and Dr. Strangelove.)
8/10 or a B-
