Filled with zany dialogue and slapstick, this is one fun romp of lunacy!

Rating: 9/10 (21 May 2008)

I first saw some Marx Brothers material no less than twelve years ago. I remember seeing a lot of "The Big Store", and maybe some others, but don't recall finding it too amusing. Of course, I was under ten years old at the time, so my tastes have obviously changed since then, and "The Big Store" is not considered one of their classics, whereas "Duck Soup" is. So, I'm not one of those who can say I grew up with the Marx Brothers, but I have now seen this classic of theirs. I was hoping for some good, hard laughs, and without a doubt, that was what I got!
Mrs. Gloria Teasdale is a rich widow in the country of Freedonia. This country is in a poor financial state, and she promises to lend twenty million dollars, but only on condition that the current leader of the country steps down and lets Rufus T. Firefly take over. As a result, Firefly becomes the new dictator of Freedonia, but unfortunately, the country's new leader is an extremely uncouth one who goes his own way, making bizarre decisions and not doing his country much good! Meanwhile, two spies, Chicolini and Pinky, have been sent from the neighbouring country of Sylvania. In addition to that, Firefly and Ambassador Trentino of Sylvania are both in love with Mrs. Teasdale, which causes a rivalry between the two, a rivalry which will lead the two countries to war unless they work something out!
This Marx Brothers effort starts off a bit shakily before any of the four brothers come in, without much humour, and Margaret Dumont's (Mrs. Teasdale) overacting is a bit much. However, it certainly gets funnier when Groucho Marx (Rufus T. Firefly) first appears and starts his chattering! The film becomes sidesplitting not long after Zeppo and Harpo come in as Chicolini and Pinky! After this, lots of hilarity follows, with some stupid but priceless dialogue and slapstick (hilarious lines often provided by Groucho at a rapid pace), and Dumont fits in with it, playing a character who constantly has to put up with Firefly! There are so many classic moments in the film, including the ones involving Pinky and Chicolini (especially Pinky) giving the peanut vendor a hard time, Rufus slapping Ambassador Trentino, the mirror scene, and many others!
Overall, "Duck Soup" is classic comedy that has aged well. I also think it's fair to say that it's intelligent political satire. While it may not be as popular today as it was upon its original release in 1933, it can still be very appealing to fans of slapstick and comic stupidity! Clearly, it takes comedic geniuses to come up with the kind of lunacy that's pulled off in this Marx Brothers hit! The Marx Brothers' demented style of comedy is obviously not for everyone. In fact, I'm sure some would hate it. We all have our own tastes. So, if comic lunacy isn't your idea of funny, then avoid, but if you like the Marx' style of comedy, then "Duck Soup" is a great movie to watch, guffaw over, and never forget!