An American Classic shot in London

Rating: 9/10 (26 August 2011)

Dr Strangelove is one of the comedies whose true potential can be realized only by the end of the film and perhaps after subsequent viewings. The movie starts off with a hummable tune and planes on the screen, before which a narrator briefs us about Russia's mysterious doomsday weapon. The movie gives a satirical spin to one of the coldest, most fearful times in history- the Cold War, specifically the Cuban Missile Crisis. However, not much is required to get an overview of the theme for those not knowing much about the crisis aka Me.
The film is about USA and USSR's deal to avoid any nuclear warfare as it may result in a cataclysm. Stanley takes a situation where the jingoism of the General, the lack of communication and procrastination in decision making leads to a cloudy end for all. It's highly avant-garde for a film of the 60s, and Stanley Kubrick executes it like a perfect soufflé that unfortunately has to burst since that's the ending- bleak and disturbing, resonating with the music 'We'll Meet Again'.
Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper (named aptly after the famous serial killer) vehemently orders US planes to attack USSR, to prevent contamination of his bodily fluids by 'fluoridation' (!!) and this causes a panic in the Pentagon, with the US President trying to sort things out with an inebriated USSR President while being constantly jibed and detracted by General Buck Turgidson (again aptly surnamed!), who is a chauvinistic Nationalist with deep-rooted hatred towards Commie Russkies. This leads to a short brawl between him and the Russian ambassador which is so unparliamentary (or is it??) and chaos in the Pentagon. Jack D.Ripper meanwhile detains Group Captain Mandrake who has to listen to all his bull while trying to extract the three letter code that will connect them to the planes to detract them from taking offensive action. A parallel plot involves Major Kong trying to take down enemies with his crew in an immaculately constructed cockpit. One of the most beautiful aspects of the film is that the overacting is never overacted. Nearly every character is loony and yet has to be credulous enough to sustain the believability of the plot. In fact, Stanley Kubrick wisely decided to do away with the alien plot which would give the film a supernatural angle. Instead, we have a character displaying alien hand syndrome (Dr Strangelove), which makes him go berserk towards the end.
The performances by the actors are terrific. Peter Sellers has to sell 3 characters and throughout the film one never finds sameness in the three roles. The quivering President who has so much to do now and can't do much due to the rigid policies gives a more subdued performance. Yet, the funniest part is when he talks to the USSR President to say "No, I'm more sorry" "I'm fine. We are all fine" etc. The second is Major Mandrake who incredulously asks the lunatic General "Sir, when did you come up with this theory of fluoridation?" and the funniest is his exchange with the officer towards the end of his plot line, where the chemistry gels so well – "Just shoot at the damn machine" he says, with the other officer replying "Okay, but if you can't get to the President, you'll be answerable to Coca-Cola!"LOLOL!!! Genius!!
The third character is the Nazi-sympathizer Dr. Strangelove who talks about the alternate plan where humans will have to live underground for 100 years and breed like dogs (1 man – 10 women!). I think Stanley wanted to kill the audience since I almost died with laughter by the end. And the best part is that all the characters are dead serious. Another scene-stealer is George C. Scott whose best moments are the facial contortions that he does to show fragrant disapproval and suspicion. Also his interaction with his fiancé in the midst of an important discussion is crazy hilarious. Sterling Hayden is great, and I wonder how he could control his laughter while speaking about fluoridation and 'bodily fluids'. Slim Pickens suits his character to a tee, and his classic line is the 'Vegas' one.
I wasn't particularly impressed by Stanley's The Shining, since I found it too verbose but the writing over here is fluid, humorous, brainy and inoffensive. Kubrick's direction is pitch-perfect and highly impressive since he didn't get much help from Pentagon. Since I have the DVD, I got the pleasure of seeing the making of the film and an appreciation of Kubrick.
Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is an American classic, and was rightfully included in many of the AFI's lists. In short, its bloody brilliant. 9/10