Michael's Movie Grade: A+
Review: Extremely funny Laurel and Hardy short.
This short film is very simple, but that is just where so much of its humor comes from. This is just down and dirty (often literally in this film) slapstick at its best. The jokes we have seen before but Laurel and Hardy bring so much to them that so many other comedians couldn't. These characters are so likable and different from any other comedy characters that it doesn't matter who else has done these jokes. As absurd as this comedy is the characters make us believe every second of it.
Many of the jokes involve Stan and Ollie cleaning a chimney. This is what the two comedians are best at doing, making such a simple task look so complicated and milking it for every joke possible. Like many of the best slapstick comedies this film gives us the jokes we were completely excepting and then when we think the joke is done, we get another payoff. This is done so perfectly and flawlessly that you really are surprised when the joke continues and it makes you laugh even louder. The timing is also done perfectly here as it gives you just enough time to think that joke is over and then wham. Speaking of timing you never realize just how well timed these films are until you see them with an audience. Just when the audience stops laughing at one joke the film gives them just enough time to breathe and then wham another joke. The audience's laughter never interrupts a joke. Also adding to the comedy is some very funny lines given to actor Samuel Adams that he delivers perfectly (SOMEwhere - an ELECTRIC CHAIR is WAITING!).
Ollie may have nothing to say, but I can't praise this film enough.
-Michael J. Ruhland
No comments:
Post a Comment