Review of Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) by Victor T — 07 Aug 2015

When someone remembers or thinks about the Cold War, they will remember the paranoia and tension but by no means will they remember something funny about that history chapter, so a dark comedy that revolves around that subject matter is extremely peculiar and daring.

In the peak of the Cold War, American General Jack D. Ripper decides to launch an attack to the USSR, thus beginning nuclear warfare.

Let's go back to 1964. Due to the John F. Kennedy assassination and the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Cold War was at its peak causing paranoia all around the world, so it didn't seem appropriate to make a comedy about it but Kubrick dared to do it and the result was both controversial and masterful. "Dr Strangelove" is a film that has everything a masterpiece requires: A well written script, some iconic imagery, clever and hilarious dialog, impeccable acting with the best being the unpredictably funny Peter Sellers in three different and well established characters (it makes you wish Sellers have played more characters), and George C. Scott in one of the most hilarious performances I´ve seen (even if he hated it); memorable and ironically named characters, it is both hilarious and quite suspenseful (just look at Dr Strangelove himself as the definitive proof), the black comedy is flawless, a fast pace that's all about buildup, numerous themes that are executed with subtlety, and once again Kubrick proves why he gained his legendary status, with his jaw dropping cinematography, perfect use of music, masterful use of lighting, and perfectionism on every little detail. It must be said that like with every Kubrick film, this needs to be seen more than once in order to fully appreciate its greatness.

"Dr Strangle or How Learn to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" is a hilarious, unforgettable and daring black comedy that proves that Kubrick can make anything, despite how controversial the subject matter is. I will say that this is undeniably one of Kubrick´s best films (undeniably in his top 3). A film that will not harm "the purity of your precious bodily fluids".