Reviews of Arsenic and Old Lace

Hilarious dark comedy!

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 17 May 2008 06:51 (A review of Arsenic and Old Lace)

"Insanity runs in my family... It practically gallops."

Arsenic and Old Lace is a film for individuals who enjoy the absurd dark comedy genre. This film is indeed a number of decades old and consequently ruthlessly disregarded. Notwithstanding its age you'll be hard-pressed to find a superior dark comedy that can match the genius of this: Frank Capra's 1944 film.

Over 60 years on and this film is still one of history's greatest comedies. From its opening sequence until the closing titles it's simply impossible to feel bored in amidst the sparkling performances and the fast-paced string of events that incessantly unfold.

Based on a hit Broadway play by Joseph Kesselring, this frenetic black comedy follows the central character Mortimer Brewster (Grant); a dramatic critic and an established bachelor. He has spent his career criticising marriage and making points about its futility...even in book form! As the film opens he is getting married to a woman named Elaine (Lane) which stirs a media frenzy. On his wedding day he learns that his two sweet aunts Abby (Hull) and Martha (Adair) have found a way to improve the lives of elderly people living in isolation without family or friends - by poisoning them! But they are both extremely nonchalant and calm about the situation: they have no problem with killing them and burying them in the cellar, nurturing the graves every week. On top of this, Mortimer's Uncle Teddy (Alexander) believes that he is in fact President Theodore Roosevelt. As Mortimer is still trying to come to terms with finding a way to prevent his crazy aunts from killing more people he also tries to get Uncle Teddy into a quality mental institution, tend to his new bride, keep a taxi driver waiting (for several hours), help a new police officer write a play and now also deal with the sudden reappearance of his insane brother Jonathan (Massey) with his personal plastic surgeon Dr. Einstein (Lorre).

Arsenic and Old Lace is a beautifully conceived story that is handled wonderfully and is highlighted by the eccentric performances from everyone in the cast. Cary Grant is delightful in this form of humour. He is certainly a scene stealer for every second of his screen time. Grant's characterisation of an intriguing character is magnificent and enthralling. It's classic comedic genius as Grant tries his hardest to get out of the trickiest of situations. Credit must go to the screenwriter for developing the role perfectly suitable for Cary Grant to play. This could be his best performance to date!

There's also an assortment of whacky co-stars who play their roles to perfection. Naturally, I must also mention the superb direction from Frank Capra. I cannot fault the composition of any scene in the film. Heck, even the opening title cards were enough to have me laughing uncontrollably. The rest of the film is thankfully graced with such genius.

Arsenic and Old Lace is strictly for those who enjoy morbid humour. This film is the essential production from the works of Frank Capra. During his career he produced so many fantastic films like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It's a Wonderful Life. You don't need to be a fan of the director to enjoy his work because of the versatile appeal. This is absurd dark comedy at its very best!

The film takes off at lightning pace: after the opening at the marriage license agency, the film is then the story of the events that occur on a single night. With so much great humour, witty dialogue and interesting characters you will find it irresistibly tempting. It's over-the-top and cartoonish, but its faultless composition makes it very simple to suspend disbelief. Arsenic and Old Lace is light-hearted fun and still a classic romp to this very day.

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