Andy44

I wouldn't pan this quite as much as gunnarvl, but he's right about the plot, which is insubstantial to a ridiculous degree. There's a bit of suspense, and occasional connections from one scene to another, but mostly it's scenes ,dialog, and characters that never develop much individually or collectively.

The only things that kept me watching to the end were the anticipation of some improvement in the plot (didn't happen), and the realistic settings. I wondered where they were able to film what seemed to be 1930's era buildings and streets; I see now it was made in East Germany before 1982. Probably wasn't hard to find places that hadn't changed much since the 30s.

I usually like movies that are subtle or ambiguous, or both, but this one carried those characteristics so far I was longing for a chase, a shootout, some sex, anything.

Hitchcock or somebody said films are life without the boring bits. This movie was life without the exciting bits.

Visionary movie-making. I will not write any spoiler, so I can't describe the brilliant way Cox expresses his story with some mind-bending visual and verbal devices. Some might dismiss it as trickery, but I think of it as magical realism.

William Walker was a real person and his "liberation" of Nicaragua did take place, roughly as shown in this movie. Cox and Wurlitzer took some major liberties with historic details- perhaps for narrative pace, budget reasons, or whatever. I read quite a lot about Walker and Nicaragua after seeing this movie and there's no distortion for ideological reasons.

If you value originality, subtlety, honesty and an occasional slap in the face, see this movie. I envy first-time viewers.

I'd rate this below Young Frankenstein, but above any other Gene Wilder comedy.

The cast is terrific, especially GW, Madeline Kahn, Dom DeLuise and Leo McKern. Also, Marty Wilder has many good bits, and Roy Kinnear and John LeMeseuier add a lot.

The costumes, settings and musical styles are all done quite well.

But the main thing is laughs. Ther are plenty: the quick little quip, or malaprop, the long build-up joke, the unexpected twist gag, sight gags, satire. Some don't work too well but the overall percentage is very high.

Don't miss it if you can!