In the "Soup"....

Rating: 10/10 (12 August 2002)

What can I say?
"Duck Soup", featuring all four Marx Brothers in their last quartet appearance, wreaking havoc as never before on not only the Sylvania's vile ruler Trentino (Calhern) and Freedonia's sole matron Mrs. Teasdale (Dumont - who else?) and everybody and thing that happens into their view.

To say this is funny is just not enough. The brothers four let loose with a barrage of jokes both outrageous, ingenious, hilarious and most definitely worthy of quote, honor and reverence at very special moments (i.e. - parties, holidays, christenings, auctions, long walks, bedtime, breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch...get the idea?).
To describe the plot is futility. Unlike modern plot-driven "comedies", the Marx Brothers understood that all that is needed of a movie is the barest semblance of an idea (Freedonia president Groucho declares war on Sylvania) to make with gags big and small, all with the same payoff - BIG!
Who has the best scene? Hard to tell, since everyone gets at least one or two great scenes each, sometimes more. I've already discussed the dialogue, but the sight gags - oh, the sight gags! The mirror scene, Groucho's confrontations with Trentino, the courtroom scene, Chico and Harpo all pretending to be Groucho (don't ask), the musical numbers, the...well, I could go on, but you know what I mean - this is THE MARX BROTHERS, for cryin' out loud!
See "Duck Soup" right now! Rent it, catch it on TV, borrow it from your neighbor, swipe it from your little brother. I don't want your excuses - watch it NOW!
Ten stars. Hail Freedonia!
By the way, does anyone know what the title has to do with the film? Me neither. Must be a Marx Brothers thing.