University of Virginia Library

Successful Manipulation

"The Twelve Chairs" is not a
film that will constantly make you
split, your sides with laughter.
Brooks' film, in a way, reminds me
somewhat of Truffant's "The Wild
Child," in that there is a feeling of
nostalgia for old camera techniques,
such as dissolves and fast motion,
which recall silent comedies. One
other similarity is that the directors
are manipulating our feelings about
their characters. In the final scene
of the film, we are touched with
the condition of Moody and feel a
genuine sympathy for him while
laughing with him.

The film is several cuts above
most of 1970's comedies and leaves
me with the hope that in the future
Mel Brooks will be successful at
creating a balanced blend between
the zaniness of "The Producers"
and the humanism of "The Twelve
Chairs."

(Now at the Cinema)