Review of Seven Chances (1925) by Michael Y — 15 Oct 2011

Oh Keaton, you never fail to amuse me. No matter how much slapstick he does he always finds something competely new to do. And Seven Chances is no exception. It is one of his finest.

Buster Keaton directs and stars this brilliantly hilarious movie about a young lawyer who recieves a letter saying his rich uncle had died and left him 7 million dollars! The catch though is that he must be married at 7 p.m. on his 27 birthday.....WHICH IS TODAY! Seven Chances is not only hilarious, but it's a pretty well structured comedy as well. Being half comedy and half romance, this movie hits the funnybone and sympathy bone just right. Like always, Keaton's performance is brilliant, but the comedic material is INCREDIBLE. You can also definitely see how this movie influenced future comedy movies. Buster goes around asking every woman he sees to marry him, and in a new and creative way he gets hilariously rejected. Seven Chances stays fresh with material and will make you laugh yourself sick.

Buster Keaton's comedic directing is also top notch in this movie. He really understands how funny the unexpected is, and he knows just how to capture those moments to be at their funniest. And how this guy gets so many trains in his movies I will never know. There's this creative and wonderful shot where Keaton gets in a car and appearing like he and the car never moved an inch the set changes. Now that's creative. The set designs looks great and the cinematography is wonderful as always. And, of course, Keaton's stuntwork takes on new and UNBELIEVABLE challenges as he jumps over ledges, holds on to cranes, falls and topples over everywhere, boulders falling down a cliff towards Keaton, and the chase scene is absolutely perfect.

It's wonderful to watch Buster Keaton's movies, because they're so original, creative, clean, and a lot more funnier than todays comedies. And this is a movie made in 1925! Keaton proves he is still the master of comedy after 9 decades. Seven Chances can be enjoyed by everyone and it is a must see for the classic movie lover.