Review of The Blues Brothers (1980) by Andy B — 12 Dec 2009

(*** ) I can't really figure out what is so great about this movie. It just always brightens my day. There aren't many jokes and laugh out loud lines, but everything is just so dumb that you have to smile most of the way through. I think this movie is a good example of the much sought after "comedy which doesn't have to ask for a laugh." Just looking at the brothers and their calm, serious approach to even the most insane situations makes the audience chuckle. It's essentially two actors doing a wonderful job of playing it straight in a completely absurd world while going through a series of completely absurd circumstances. Not to mention how amazingly quotable it is.

Oh and I can't leave out the awesome musical performances which frequent the screen in the movie. Many staples of R&B appear to give us a little taste of what the music should be. Then we see Jake and Elwood do a comical though undeniably rockin set of covers. It's just a delightful musical experience, and an awesome film.