Review of Duck Soup (1933) by Dylan C — 15 Jul 2011

Arguably the best Marx Brother's comedy, Duck Soup was made in 1933 and yet we are still watching it today. Why? Because even almost a century later, there's still nothing quite like it, still nothing quite so hilariously irreverent, so immensely enjoyable, and so meticulously well-timed.

Duck Soup is nearly flawless as a comedy, it stands as one of the funniest films ever made and I roared with laughter many times throughout it's perfectly measured 70 minute running time. Comedies are a difficult choice for people to buy since something is only funny so many times and Duck Soup, like any great comedy, stands the test of repeated viewings.

It not only offers hilarity to it's viewers but also contentment. As I've stressed before, "there's no perfect film", and judging Duck Soup as a comedy, I must acknowledge that there are bits (namely the two musical numbers) where the laughs do slow down.

However, I can honestly say that Duck Soup has enough genuine comedic material for two comedies (three would be stretching it) and when so many comedies are stretching it by barely having enough comedic material for one comedy, (or in the case of a Friedberg and Seltzer film, 1/4 of a comedy) Duck Soup is a clear choice for anyone looking to laugh.