Title: The Death of Stalin
Director(s): Armando Iannucci
Screenwriter(s): Armando Iannucci, David Schneider & Ian Martin
Studio: Gaumont, Quad Productions, France 3 Cinema & others
Released: 2017
Runtime: 1h 46m
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Michael Palin, Jeffrey Tambor, Paul Chahidi
This film is marketed as something like a political satire black comedy and is based on the French comic book of the same title (La Mort de Staline) written by Fabien Nury and illustrated by Thierry Robin. The production is European but it is in English.
Please note that I have not read the comic books so this review of purely the film.
The setting is Moscow, 1953, and the film begins with Joseph Stalin (Adrian McLoughlin) hosting dinner with the Central Committee, thereby introducing the main characters. Stalin soon dies and the plot follows their actions as they try to take his place.
Although it features mostly real historical figures and many elements are true (or true enough), it is on the whole not historically accurate. I don’t think it is even accurate enough or serious enough to be historical fiction. It’s more like elements are taken from that era and conveniently fitted and compressed into the few days that immediately follow the death of Stalin for the purposes of this narrative.
The film qualifies as a black comedy given that it features a regime in which millions were arrested and imprisoned or killed and doesn’t hide that fact. It certainly makes fun of the tyrannical mentality and machinations of the high-ranking officials.
However, as a political satire, it lacks bite even though the film is amusing. It does not sufficiently make fun of the intricacies of the communist system or its horrific history besides the general fact that millions were killed. The primary conflict is between security service head Lavrenti Beria (Simon Russell Beale) and first secretary Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi) as they vie for power. As such, it is more dramatic and somewhat character-focused rather than political. One could describe the political satire as mild.
The dialogue is generally well-written with some dry humor and delivery. The lead performances are solid, particularly Beale as Beria. He really does come across as a murderous pig who is at times frightening as he is comical. The character of Khrushchev is toned down too much, presumably to make Beria more of a villain, but Buscemi makes it work.
Visually, the look is slick as expected from a European production. The palette and lighting are nice, giving a really clean look that goes against the impression some of the history leaves.
Some consider this to be anti-Russian propaganda. If it is, then it has failed. The tone is clearly intended to be comical so historical accuracy (if taken as a whole) is out the window. As for the Russian image, I don’t think anything can make Russia look worse than decades of communist rule. If anything, this film as satire treats the subject lightly.
Overall, it is a good production with good performances. As a film, it is amusing and entertaining but it is somewhat mild for a black comedy and satire. It could treat the subject more deeply and be funnier.
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