MovieChat Forums > Bananas (1971) Discussion > It's not that funny, but it's brilliant

It's not that funny, but it's brilliant

posted 9 years ago by jgroub
4 replies | jump to latest

I love this movie. I've seen it 100 times. There are definitely a few scenes that are laugh out-loud funny - the courtroom scene comes to mind. But what's great about this movie is its sheer brilliance.

Like Dr. Strangelove, it's not the actual scenes themselves that are funny. Again, there are laugh out-loud scenes in Dr. Strangelove, too - especially anything that happens in the War Room.

But in both movies it's the concept that's quite simply amazing. Oh, sure, the movies are very different in style and substance, but what unites them is the satirical, black comedy look that they provide. I watch this movie and think to myself, "Oh, now that's great writing."

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] lambiepie-2 9 years ago

This film is full of short stand-ups, slapsticks and gags that work very well as they are very reminiscent of Woody Allen's earlier career in clubs. It has a lot of 70s problems humor, but I got it and it still is funny to me now. Only a few things didn't make me chuckle (the Wide World of Sports one for example, it was okay...)

I saw this film on cable TV, I wonder how people of that time dealt with this, Love the courtroom scene as well and the subway scene with that unknown actor (I wont spoil it!) that will let folks know there are no such thing as small parts.

"Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos!" 🐻

[–] jgroub 9 years ago

Are you talking about the WW of S assassination scene, or the bedroom scene? Because the bedroom scene is awesome. And I'm positive there was a lot of ad-libbing in it, because of Howard's reaction.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] lambiepie-2 9 years ago

The WW of S bedroom scene. I didn't quite care for it so much.

"Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos!" 🐻

[–] jgroub 9 years ago

Well, as the saying goes, there's no accounting for taste.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.