How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Dr. Strangelove

Holly Reese
2-24-13

             Dr. Srtangelove

           Stanley Kubric is one of those directors who can do no wrong in my eyes. While Dr. Strangelove is not my favorite Kubric film, it is still a beautiful film especially in terms of mis-en-scene. Each shot of this film is is complex and interesting. The first time I watched this film, admittedly I didn't know it was a comedy until almost an hour into it. It took the line "Gentlemen, there's no fighting in here! This is the war room!" for me to actually laugh out loud and understand the satirical comedy that composed this film.
             
           The subtle humor of this film is unlike any of the others we have watched this semester. Peter Sellers does a very effective job playing the roles of Mandrake, the President, and Dr. Strangelove. Mandrake and the President aren't necessarily funny characters, they are the voices of reason amongst the more outrageous characters. Dr. Strangelove is a very over-the-top character. His accent and voice was ridiculous and his uncontrollable arm was hilarious. This is a film that gets funnier with each viewing. When you understand the plot, it gives you the chance to pay closer attention to the funnier parts of the film.
            
            The most obvious theme of this film is the critique of government military organizations. When the men in the war room are worried about the Russian ambassador entering the war room, their main concern is that he will the the big boards. This kind of joke is funny because it is so subtle. There are many small jokes sprinkled throughout this film. They are so small that they can be missed and almost seem believable. Even the emergency kit that the pilots on the plane are equipped with seem legitimate (well, maybe not the nylons and lipstick).

             This film is definitely one that deserves multiple viewings. While this is very unlike the Kubric films that people are more familiar with (A Clockwork Orange and The Shining), it is still a carefully crafted comedy. It might take sitting through this film to give it full appreciation, but it is definitely worth it in the end.