Death of Stalin

The team known for reveling in the absurdity of British and American political incompetence and ruthlessness turn their eyes to the extreme politics of Stalinism. There is comedy here, the same faults and greed that this team highlights so well,, but the consequences are so much bigger. So grossly tragic. I feel the writing pull-back and make sure the audience understand just how awful the conditions of Stalinist Russia were. When it would have been tempting to clown and avoid the harsh realities, they choose to let them be seen in all their gravity. It's a brave choice, and while I think it will make for one of their least "yuk-it-up" pictures, it shows an empathy and intelligence that makes this film much more memorable than tasteless traipsing over tragedy would have been. I think this would have been a challenge to balance and I could not tell you how to have done it better, but it does feel a bit mispaced in the final act. However I still really enjoyed it.

I found this movie to be tedious, lacking in humor and rather pathetic. Learn a little about Stalin and you too may agree. I heard so many rave reviews, I was nothing but disappointed. I kept watching, waiting for the humor, and there were only weak attempts at best. I love satire, and almost every other genre of comedies, but this was just a huge waste of my time. And those I watched it with all agreed. If you did like it, I'm glad. I, for one, thought it was an embarrassment. And I felt bad for the group of actors, whom I love, having this on their resume. If I could give it negative stars, I would. Unfortunately that's not allowed.

what a hoot! it must have been dangerous times in reality but, making a dark comedy out of it makes perfect sense. the guy who played zhukov stole the movie and steve buschemi playing a comic straight man is awesome. play movies needs more art house flicks like this.