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7.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Men O'War remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, is Men O'War worth a look today? Absolutely, if you've got even a passing fondness for classic comedy. If you appreciate the art of physical timing and *truly* earned laughs, you'll find plenty to enjoy. Folks who need everything to move at a breakneck pace or rely on flashy effects might find it a bit slow, but honestly, they’d be missing out on some real genius.
This little film, just twenty minutes long, feels like a masterclass in making a mountain out of a molehill. Stan and Ollie, sailors on shore leave, spot two attractive ladies in the park. Immediately, Ollie, ever the smooth operator, wants to treat them. Problem is, they only have enough change for three sodas. Three sodas! That's the whole ball game right there. 😂
It’s fascinating how they stretch that single, very simple premise. The way Ollie tries to calculate who gets a sip, who gets a full glass, it’s just brilliant. Stan, bless his heart, is completely oblivious, or perhaps just too hungry for his soda. There’s a moment, right after they get the drinks, where Ollie is trying to explain the *logistics* of the three sodas to Stan, and Stan just keeps trying to sneak sips. You can almost feel Ollie’s blood pressure rising. It’s a classic dynamic.
The dialogue here is minimal, which is common for their early sound shorts, but it’s the non-verbal stuff that slays. Laurel’s wide-eyed innocence as he tries to subtly hog the drink, Hardy’s exasperated stares directly into the camera – it’s all so perfectly pitched. One shot of Ollie trying to keep Stan from gulping down the third soda, with those big, sad eyes of Stan, it’s just priceless. You almost feel bad for him, but then you remember it’s all for a laugh.
There's a scene later, when a cop comes over to check on a commotion, and Ollie tries to act all dignified, while Stan is just… Stan. He’s fumbling with the umbrella, getting himself tangled, and accidentally splashing water everywhere. It’s pure, unadulterated chaos, but in the most charming way possible. The cop, played by Baldwin Cooke, has this wonderful deadpan reaction, like he’s seen it all before.
And the big climax, well, it involves a lot of water. 🌊 Not to give too much away, but the park setting becomes a character itself, with all its little fountains and ponds just waiting to be part of the gag. You can almost feel the chill of the water. The whole thing spirals out of control so beautifully, a real domino effect of mishaps. It never feels forced, just inevitable, given these two.
What really strikes me about Men O'War is how *patient* it is. They let the gags breathe. The scene where they're first trying to figure out the soda situation, it goes on a good minute longer than most modern comedies would allow, and that extra time makes it so much funnier. It’s not just a setup for a punchline; it’s a whole little mini-drama playing out.
Some people might say, 'Oh, it's just slapstick.' And yeah, it is. But it’s *expert* slapstick. It’s like watching a finely tuned machine, where every single move, every glance, every little stumble is calculated for maximum comedic impact. And it works. It really, really works. You forget how clever these guys were, how much thought went into even the simplest pratfall.
It’s not trying to be The Great Divide, or some deep, meaningful drama. It's just two guys, three sodas, and a whole lot of heart. A simple joy, really. Perfect for a quick laugh on a slow afternoon. Or any afternoon, for that matter. Don't overthink it, just watch them try to share those drinks. You’ll be glad you did. 👍
IMDb 7
1923
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