This week, there are two films on offer that I highly recommend. First up, on release in cinemas:
The Death of Stalin
My expectations were high for The Death of Stalin, with it being written and directed by Armando Ianucci. I was concerned with the opening scenes, therefore, as there was an eggy quality to them, not helped by some over-acting by such reliable performers as Paddy Considine.
Luckily, after 10 minutes or so, the film clicks into gear and it settles into what is mostly a funny farce.
Following Stalin’s sudden death in 1953 the remaining members of the Communist Committee plot and manoeuvre for power. With sharp moments of satire, there are a lot more gags that hit than miss in Ianucci, David Schneider, and Ian Martin’s script. Most of the main cast are excellent, with Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, and Simon Russell Beale making the best impression. Michael Palin doesn’t have as much to do, but he shows his exquisite comic timing in one scene involving nominating and passing motions in a committee meeting.
Things come to a head, both in terms of the story and the laughs during Stalin’s funeral, thanks to Ianucci’s staging. The story necessitates a more downbeat ending, but that seemed appropriate.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Also available on Netflix, is
The Myerowitz Stories (New & Selected)
Director Noah Baumbach has had a patchy career but this can be ranked alongside The Squid and The Whale and Mistress America as his best work. A simple set up of a family gathering together, initially to celebrate their sculptor father’s work, leads to some remarkably resonant scenes. Dustin Hoffman is great as the father and both Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler have never been better as his sons.
Rating: 8 out of 10