Classic comedy

Rating: 7/10 (27 October 2011)

To call the Marx Brothers famous would be an understatement. The Marx Brothers are legendary. They shaped comedy in cinema, and made the slapstick genre what it is today. Basically, the majority of comedic characteristics and methods can be traced back to the Marx Brothers, no matter how great or how small the influence. Thus, when watching a film like Duck Soup you have to respect the comedic legacy that you are witnessing on the screen. Whether you find the comedic stylings of this film to be outdated or ingenious, you can't deny the impact.
Duck Soup is the quirky slapstick story about Rufus T. Firefly, who inherits the rule of the land of Freedonia. The film follows his antics as he tries to rule a country in his own unorthodox methods. To go into detail about the plot of Duck Soup would be a waste of my time and yours because, frankly, this film is all about the jokes. It is driven by rapidly paced quips and loads of outrageous physical humor. It isn't exactly my cup of tea, but its a lot of fun.
The Marx Brothers knew comedy. They were geniuses when it came to timing, delivery, and pacing. This shows in every frame and every word of Duck Soup. It is incredibly evident that these four knew what they were doing and what they wanted to accomplish for every single second of their brief 68 minute film. Normally, it's hard to consider a film that is so short an actual film, but it works. The way the film is so packed with comedy and so scrunched together makes it flow extremely well and move at a pace so quick and so absurd that it adds to the hilarity.
Of course, when I say hilarity, I mean general hilarity, not things that I specifically find hilarious. I have to reiterate over and over again how much I respect this film, despite the fact that I don't find it to be particularly hilarious at all times. I laughed out loud a lot, but this isn't exactly what I find to be the greatest brand of comedy. It is nothing more than personal taste. The Marx Brothers weren't trying to please everyone. Plus, the darker and more satirical comedy that I've grown to love hardly even existed back in the Marx Brother's days. This is a film that you have to put in context to the time period, and then you will find all new respect for what a revolutionary comedy it is.
This seems to be a recurring theme of much older films for me but, once again, I respect this film more than I enjoy it. It is simply a matter of personal taste. Comedy certainly wouldn't be what it is today without the Marx Brothers, and for that I thank them. As far as Duck Soup being a truly great film, I'm not so sure, but it is important to comedy, and it's certainly a lot of fun.