I have never seen this film but am going to check it out based on its acclaim. Two nonspoiler questions though, I have. 1) Is this more of a drama with some comedy or just a really good movie that is a comedy. 2) Is this the record for most parts in one film by a single actor?
I saw it for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and would answer like this-
1) It's a really good film, that has some funny moments in it. Obviously it is 1940s style humour though, you're not going to find Austin Powers or Dumb and Dumber type humour in it (I'm not knocking those films, I love them!).
ive always seen the comedy elements in this film to be rather clever than obvious comedys like in Austin Powers for example. While some sections of the film may not appear to be laugh out funny, they are very clever and leave you with something to think about copared to Austin Powers whih uses a more in your face attitude to comedy.
**SPOILER** . . . . . . .
A perfect example of this is the fact that Mazzini will not take part in blood sports with the Duke because he detests the murdering of innocent birds. This is pretty ironic seeming he murdered a number of people in cold blood.
would you say it was on par with more of an All About Eve? Which is delighfully witty and clever, but is always classified as a drama, when in all fairness it is anything but. Is it that sort of clever wit?
This movie is a comedy. It's about as dry, and black, as they come. I found myself only chuckling a couple times. I understood the humor, it's not the kind that causes laughter (for me anyway). If you aren't used to ultra dry humor, one could easily mistake this for a drama.