"Start the Revolution Without Me" is an engaging, silly historical spoof done in the best tradition of the genre. Well worth a viewing for those who enjoy the work done by Mel Brooks and the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team, it stars Gene Wilder and Donald Sutherland in what is a classic comedy plot. Two sets of identical twins, one pair born to a nobleman, the other born to a commoner, are mismatched. Many years later (in 1789, as if we could possibly forget the year), the two pairs switch places as the French Revolution is about to take place.
Directed with a light touch by Bud Yorkin, and wittily written by Fred Freeman & Lawrence J. Cohen, this comedy wasn't always terribly funny for this viewer, but it *was* quite likable, and had some inspired moments. Certainly Wilder and Sutherland are great fun together; the latter unfortunately doesn't get that many opportunities to do comedy. Obviously a lot of care (and money) went into the costumes, production design, and location work, so the movie has just the right look. It gets off to a solid start as Orson Welles, playing himself, educates us on this little slice of history that has often been overlooked. This is paced quite well and has good energy.
Wilder is once again brilliant at doing that kind of comic freaking-out that he perfected over the years. He and Sutherland receive very strong support from a supporting cast including Hugh Griffith as the doddering King Louis XVI, Jack MacGowran as resistance leader Jacques, Billie Whitelaw as a slutty, conniving Marie Antoinette, Victor Spinetti as the dastardly Duke d'Escargot, and lovely young lasses Ewa Aulin and Helen Fraser as Christina and Mimi, respectively.
The ending is unfortunately a little abrupt, but it does work in some amusing last second twists.
Seven out of 10.
Directed with a light touch by Bud Yorkin, and wittily written by Fred Freeman & Lawrence J. Cohen, this comedy wasn't always terribly funny for this viewer, but it *was* quite likable, and had some inspired moments. Certainly Wilder and Sutherland are great fun together; the latter unfortunately doesn't get that many opportunities to do comedy. Obviously a lot of care (and money) went into the costumes, production design, and location work, so the movie has just the right look. It gets off to a solid start as Orson Welles, playing himself, educates us on this little slice of history that has often been overlooked. This is paced quite well and has good energy.
Wilder is once again brilliant at doing that kind of comic freaking-out that he perfected over the years. He and Sutherland receive very strong support from a supporting cast including Hugh Griffith as the doddering King Louis XVI, Jack MacGowran as resistance leader Jacques, Billie Whitelaw as a slutty, conniving Marie Antoinette, Victor Spinetti as the dastardly Duke d'Escargot, and lovely young lasses Ewa Aulin and Helen Fraser as Christina and Mimi, respectively.
The ending is unfortunately a little abrupt, but it does work in some amusing last second twists.
Seven out of 10.