SILENT MOVIE

 This film is well a silent film made by Mel Brooks. Mel Brooks, Marty Feldman and Dom DeLuise are trying to save a failing studio owned by Sid Caesar by making a silent film which no one has seen in 40 years. They go on a road trip to get big stars to be in it. However, two greedy New York conglomerates Engulf & Devour (Harold Gould and Ron Carey) want the studio and will stop at nothing to get it. As much as I enjoy the plot I do find it predictable and kind of weird, but funny that they're making silent film within a silent film which will not be done again until "The Artist". I am a bit disappointed that we don't see them make the film, it's just a buddy comedy road trip movie as we meet many people along the way. Oh, and this film is "Based On A True Story".



Mel Brooks, Marty Feldman and Dom DeLuise are basically playing their selves in this film, but these three are so funny, so over the top and have so much great chemistry together that I swear that I would love to see them do more films together. Mel Brooks is in his first film where he stars as the leading character in a film he directed and he's funny as you see him in his other films. Marty Feldman brings in the perverted humor and over the top facial expressions, while Dom DeLuise provides the fat and obese jokes. The supporting characters are enjoyable as well. Sid Caesar is funny as the head of the broken down studio, Bernadette Peters as the love interest is kind of bland and treated like an extra set of wheels for the plot, but she's still fun and gorgeous. As for the villains, they're not memorable, but they do share some moments that are priceless.



Mel Brook's pretty much made a risky film in a time (and still is) where silent films are considered dated in modern day film making, and to be perfectly honest I think it works very well in this film. Of course I go for all genres and style of film (with the exception of the X rated stuff) but will an audience enjoy it. Most certainly. First off, its Mel Brooks and lets be honest, he knows how to entertain an audience, whether his films are good or not (for the most part). I found plenty of laugh out loud moments in this film that made me flip over my chair. The celebrities he got to appear in this movie are not only well casted, but have perfect expressions when interacting with our trio. The slapstick is enjoyably cartoony, the visuals gags provide a chucle, the cliche silent film jokes are subtle, and the use of sound effects and title cards are play a big role in the film's comedy.  Even the pointless moments that drag or go nowhere like a dream sequence with Brooks and Peters on a cake or the Paul Newman chase still come across as highly entertaining scenes. By the way, be sure to listen for at least one word that's spoken in the film.

Mel Brooks brings a great tribute to the silent films and it's indeed one of his funniest.

RATING 4/5