A multi-layered black comedy

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2004)

Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove" is one of the most hilarious movies I have seen. Not only is it absolutely brilliant in terms of comedy alone, but it communicates something through its precise satire that most comedies wouldn't dare to contemplate. I am sure that many who saw the film in its first release completely missed its rather negative undertones regarding U.S. policy - and, in fact, it has enough pure entertainment value to be worth seeing anyway. Yet Kubrick's work is filled with innuendo and subtle insults that may bypass the viewer initally, but once they are noticed are undoubtable.
The movie's theme is the nuclear arms race of the Cold War. General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) has ordered a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, without authorization. After hearing of the news, a prominent general has the unenviable task of explaining to the president in an emergency meeting why World War III is about to begin, and why there is little hope of stopping it. Eventually a Soviet Union representative informs the U.S. that the Soviet Union has created a Doomsday weapon, programmed to immediately launch a nuclear holocaust that would destroy the world if even one nuclear warhead touches Soviet soil. The idea is that the Doomsday weapon is completely irrational and irreversibly devoted to its task, thus eliminating any threat by the U.S., as any rational being would not engage in an attack that would destroy the world. Unfortunately, the attack was launched mere days before the USSR was planning to announce the Doomsday weapon.
The actors in this film do not so much play characters as they play characterizations - each character has little depth, as far as personality goes, but represents a satirical element. Here we see George C. Scott, extremely entertaining in his portrayal of General Turgidson, particularly with his lengthy conversation with the president. He maintains a distinct even-tempered boyishness throughout the film - ever-passionate about politics, but rather easygoing about everything else, leading to some brilliant comedic dialogue, which will not be revealed here. Peter Sellers is also amazingly funny, particularly in his role as President - his one-sided telephone conversation with the Soviet Premier is very clever, with perfect comedic timing. His performance as Dr. Strangelove, a German nuclear physicist, is amusing, although I found the character less interesting than the others, probably because of the more exaggerated personality.
The entire film is told in a rather laid-back manner, at least as far as the characters' reactions to the imminent apocalypse at hand. The characters are perhaps slightly indignant but not outwardly terrified, which contrasts excellently against the earth-shattering power of atomic weapons. However, they remain doggedly determined to outwit the communists, or at least have slightly more survivors. This anti-red fervor perpetuates itself throughout the film.
Ultimately Kubrick's film is striking and multi-layered - probably remembered as a simple comedy by some, and remembered as a sharp satire of U.S. foreign policy to others. Regardless, Dr. Strangelove is undoubtedly an excellent film.