Review CXXV - Capitão Falcão

Review 125
Capitão Falcão (2015)

Whew! I've been trying to write a review since I got back to school on the seventh, but between learning about Michelson-Morley's experiment and struggling to open a copper valve (those things are bad!), I've been rushing to send out job applications and attempt to stay on top of things, all while wearing a smile. A film I have long been anticipating finally became available sometime early in January, and my boyfriend, always the enthusiast, snatched it once we finally got a dubbed version. I am obviously talking about João Leitão's Capitão Falcão starring Gonçalo Waddington, David Chan Cordeiro, José Pinto, and Miguel Guilherme. ... You've never heard of it? Yeah, I'm not surprised. Apparently even the film was a box-office bomb in Portugal, but then what did I really expect from this plot:

Capitão Falcão (Gonçalo Waddington), Captain Falcon in English, is the communist-fighting superhero António de Oliveira Salazar, fascist prime minister of Portugal, has hired to protect him and their beloved country from communist, feminist, and all-around anti-patriotic threats. Along with his sidekick Puto Perdiz (David Chan Cordeiro), Partridge Kid in English, Portugal will be kept safe from the ominous threat that is left-winged. He is... Capitão Falcão!

I don't think I've ever encountered such a film, and I think this politically-driven comedy might have been a bit too much for the public. But honestly, guys, it was funny. I have some criticisms, and they're pretty major, but let's compliment the film first. As I said, I don't think I've ever seen such a film talking about fascism without it being labelled as an "f" word. This film really was unique. And it pulled it off. Most of the gags were pretty damn funny, leaving me smirking, and I really loved the subject matter. I loved the scene with the feminists burning their bras, as well as Puto Perdiz having to join Capitão Falcão on a final mission. But by far my favourite scene is the bank one right at the beginning where our heroes are attempting to figure out which guys are the communists. Gearing it close second is the talk Capitão Falcão has with his son about killing his wife first if she finds another lover. I was dying, and I would be down to watch that scene again.

Apart from its funny material, it also jabbed the viewer a bit by not just making fun of Salazar. The film doesn't just diss its fascist period, and I must say, that is pretty shocking and well receiving on my end. That is not to say I agree with a dictator-running state - I live pretty comfortably in my democratic, pretty socialist country - but I also believe fascist countries did implement some pretty logical laws and really did focus on trying to make their country great and respectable. The film points out that Salazar helped to keep Portugal out of World War II, which was definitely advantageous. I can't say I couldn't disagree with its points. Still, the film does poke fun at the reign. Capitão Falcão is patriotic beyond any reason, and at the end of the film, we get a pretty loving embrace. Still, I was impressed that the film didn't just hate on the whole thing.

I nonetheless have criticisms. One, some of the gags would just go on for way too long. For example, the interrogation scene with Capitão Falcão and the communist guy with the beam? That was fine for one joke, but it kept going on and on. Another one was the prison scene when Capitão Falcão is talking to everyone. I liked that one with the kid, but the other ones just made it too long since they barely had anything to say.

The second relates to the first, but still deserves its own category: the film was badly paced. Some scenes were okay, but others would just drag on for too long. Spoilers: Capitão Falcão gets turned into a communist, but he's able to get out of it eventually. But that whole sequence just went on for way too long. Some fighting scenes were way too long as well. Basically, the film could have cut out an extra ten or twenty minutes. This made the film very long toward the end, and I kept waiting to see the final credits. It didn't ruin the film, but instead of wanting to watch the film again, I'd rather get clips of the parts I found funny. And that's definitely not a good thing.

Overall, Capitão Falcão was pretty funny, but it is badly paced. I'd say it's worth at least one watch because it does have funny moments, but it lacks a good pace to give it re-watchablity. Have a good night!

English subtitles can be enabled for this one!

Review CXXIV - Carambolages

Review 124
Carambolages (1963)

Welcome to 2016, guys! Nothing has changed, but I thought I'd start the film off with a- actually, let's not spoil the surprise. This one is a French film from 1963 starring comedy man Louis de Funès called Carambolages, or Carom Shots (a reference to pool balls) in English, directed by Marcel Bluwal. It also stars Jean-Claude Brialy (who apparently starred in a Luis Buñuel film - cool!), Sophie Daumier, and Michel Serrault (La cage aux folles! Aww yeah!). This actually starred some pretty notable people now that I looked into it... Nice!

Paul Martin (Jean-Claude Brialy) is looking to improve his title and get rid of his debt. He works at an advertising company under director general Norbert Charolais, a tyrant and crazy man, is engaged to the daughter of a superior, but is secretly sleeping with his secretary. His dream is to become director general of the company, and with the help of his brilliant schemes, he may just reach the title he's always wanted.

Carambolages is cute. It starts off with a message warning against those who oppose the following film will be impitoyablement destroyed. Of course it's just the announcement for the advertising company, but I was like, "What?" right off the bat. And the moment the video finishes, you can a clear shot of Louis de Funès and his discontentment. Hilarity follows, but in a slightly disorganised manner. We quickly find out about Paul Martin's woes to try and pay off his rising credit. But unlike a normal man, after he finds out that marrying a superior's daughter for money won't work, he decides to try and kill off the head boss. And the boss, in the meantime, is trying to kill off the man who he believes is sleeping with his wife. The film is a whole run around where you're waiting to see who will die, who will live. Probably my favourite part was the woman with the man's voice. I don't really understand what the heck it was about, but it gave me a good laugh.

I actually don't have much to say about this one. I mean, it was goofy, but I missed out on some dialogue given the super fast talking at times. Next time I watch it, I'll check it out with subtitles (and I recommend you do as well!). I feel like there were subtle jokes that I completely missed out at times unfortunately. While Carambolages was not a big favourite of mine, I thought it was a nice change from comedies of a more recent era. This one was dark, but not too dark, and while it had some political messages behind it, it wasn't aiming to shove all sorts of different messages down my throat (or, at least, given that I missed out on some dialogue, I might have missed it). The comedy was genuine and had some nice, cinematic twists at times.

Now I'm sure you're asking why I would even bother to bring this one up since I'm struggling to find something to say. Well, because there is an appearance from someone special right at the very end of the film. That's right - it's Alain Delon! He is never credited, but it was a great appearance nonetheless - one not necessarily expected if you didn't know!

Bottom line, Carambolages is a cute, dark comedy about work culture and trying to get higher in a pyramid. Maybe you get to the top, but remember, there's always someone at the bottom who might be ready to topple you down...

Sorry, only got it in French!