Brilliant, just brilliant

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 1999)

The film opens with a simple printed disclaimer: `The US army claims to have safeguards in place which render the following events impossible', or words to that effect. Well, I'm willing to believe that. Besides, that was 1964. Things have changed since, and the chances of an accidental nuclear exchange - between the United States and Russia, at any rate - have dropped considerably. But `Strangelove' STILL gives me a small thrill of panic. Kubrick plays on our nerves masterfully. At one moment it seems as if the forces of sanity are going to win, the next minute it seems as though they don't stand a chance: I won't reveal all the cleverly constructed reversals of fortune, but part of me is itching to.
Peter Sellers's performances (all four of them) are gleeful fun to watch. It was a stroke of genius NOT making the president a buffoon. In fact he's a decent and intelligent man, by no means a weak leader, and his relationship with Dmitri (the Russian general secretary) is almost touching - not that any of this helps him very much.
I've noticed that a number of people who say they aren't fond of Kubrick in general make an exception for this film. I can see why - even though I AM fond of Kubrick in general.