Review of The Blues Brothers (1980) by Barnaby E — 03 Jul 2010

For a chap that's actually in a Blues Brothers tribute band, it seems a little remiss that I haven't reviewed the actual film yet. Ha! Well, this is one of those so-called classics from the '80s and, unlike others which have dated and outgrown their 'funny' (yes, I'm talking to you 'Stripes' and 'Caddyshack' and 'Animal House'), this still doesn't feel old.

There's a cool vibe running throughout this film (and some undercutting surrealism too) which you can either tap into or you can't. To some, I know this film doesn't live up to the reputation it's gained, due to the continuing cult of tribute bands and inconic images and music contained within, but for others it's like a religion itself.

Which is ironic, as the Blues Brothers themselves are on a supposed 'Mission From God'. Essentially, a long story about two petty criminals, one of whom has just been released from prison, needing to make some cash and deciding to do it by putting their band back together and going out on the road.

The movie tells the tale of how they do it, recruiting old band members and trying to pretend their doing what they do for the Catholic Orphanage where they were raised. It all ends with the climactic concert, with an audience full of all the police and people they've angered along the way.

John Belushi and Dan Akroyd inhabit the characters of Jake and Elwood with such precision that it's easy to see why they've become the most imitated pairing of all time outside of the film. Graduating from a Saturday Night Live skit, this - unlike others that have done the same - never outstays it's welcome and you yearn for more adventures from the pairing (unless you watch a Belushi-less 'Blues Brothers 2000', when you wish they'd died at the end of this film instead).

The supporting players are mostly musicians and generally aren't the greatest actors in the world. The cameos of Carrie Fisher as a seriously disguntled ex-girlfriend, Henry Gibson as the Head Nazi (yes, you did read that right) and John Candy as the police presence are all played perfectly straight and all the better for it.

John Landis does a brilliant job of some slick direction (and the initial editing and shaping of Akroyd's overly-long script) and the movie hits all the right notes in all aspects of the production.

So, don your shades, jam on your hat, light a cigarette and watch the Brothers of Blue in action, if you've missed the ride.