Review of The Death of Stalin (2017) by Crunchygranola — 31 Mar 2018
I would never have thought of doing a comedy based on this topic. But in a deep way only satire can truly portray the abominable core of Stalin, Beria, the purges, and the creatures that occupied Stalin's inner circle. One can only humanize them by holding them up for ridicule. All of the acting is excellent. Much of the humor is quite understated (but not all of it). The portrayals of Central Committee by comedians is inspired. Weak men all of them, but Steve Buscemi's Khruschev - despite being the buffoon of the group - is the strongest and most resourceful of the lot, who realizes that the monstrous Beria is taking control and that it would be the end of all of them, sooner or later. There is a wonderful moment late in the movie when Stalin's daughter Svetlana (wonderfully played by Andrea Riseborough who looks uncannily like the real Svetlana Alliluyeva), looks at Khruschev as the plot moves forward and says simply "I didn't think it would be you". Nobody did.
There is more than enough slapstick and farce for anyone, in addition to the more subtle satire.
The biggest laugh out loud moment is the entry of Marshall Zhukov (Jason Isaacs) enters, and sheds his coat, boldly shaking his hair and chest full of medals in slo-mo.
The movie has a serious foundation though, which is skillfully united with the comedic treatment of the fools, knaves, and monsters in the Kremlin. We see terrified people being hauled away to their certain murder. We hear those murders as shot after shot is fired off camera, we see the terrified conductor being rounded up (as he later learns) to conduct a surprise concerto for Stalin's benefit tell his wife "say whatever you must" as he leaves, never expecting to see her again. We see the frightened teenager that Beria has had taken to an impromptu cell (ghoulishly garnished with flowers, as if it were a romantic encounter) before he begins raping her.
The capriciousness of the violence is also well portrayed. Disagreements among the Central Committee about whether the trains should be allowed to being in mourners for Stalin's funeral leads to thousands being massacred in the streets. The only concern among the leaders is the public relations aspects of the SNAFU.
I do not expect to see a funnier movie this year, or a more serious one.
This review of The Death of Stalin (2017) was written by Crunchygranola on 31 Mar 2018.
The Death of Stalin has generally received very positive reviews.
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