I had high expectations for The General and while I can't say those expectations were met I also can't say that I was disappointed. Buster Keaton is, without a doubt, a comedic genius and the movie is quite funny. The whole plot revolves around the start of the Civil War (with opening shots in Marietta, GA!! I could recognize what is now Marietta on the Square!) and Buster Keaton trying to foil Union soldiers from sabotaging the rail lines and disrupting the supply chain. I loved the music and the energy that went into each of the scenes. My biggest "issue" with the movie is that I'm in love with Charlie Chaplin. Essentially, what I like about Chaplin's movies is the fact in one minute I can be laughing hysterically and then in the next my heart will be breaking at the poignancy of one of the scenes. Like I previously mentioned, Keaton is a comedic genius and his timing is impeccable. However, for me, the joke often went on just a touch too long and I missed the counter balance to the jokes that I have seen in the limited number of Chaplin movies. All that being said, I still give the movie 4 out of 5 stars.
Juror #3 says:
Dear Buster Keaton,
I would like to formally apologize for the negative, and sometimes mean, statements I have made about you recently. Things like "Buster Keaton is a one-joke comic" and "Keaton isn't worthy of holding Chaplain's jock." Those types of things. See, I had only viewed two of your films, and it wasn't until I saw The General that your brilliance was evident to me. The General was a nearly flawless film and worthy of its place in history. The acting was incredible for its era, the directing was seamless and the soundtrack was unlike any of the previous silent films we have watched in that it was consistent and more advanced - it could stand alone. Part of the reason the music could be consistent is because the suspense and action in the film is consistent as well. Buster, your famous "dead-pan" look wasn't a dead-pan look in the General. It conveyed the emotion of the scene, it wasn't JUST humorous. The action scenes were so well done that at times I forgot they were taking place on a moving train! And when the train falls off the bridge, I got chills. In closing Mr. Keaton, I hope you will accept my apology. I look forward to viewing more of your work.
Sincerely,
Juror #3
Rated 5/5
I don't think we can compare Keaton to Chaplin. With the exception of the era they performed in, Chaplin is a much more polished storyteller. The General is WAY better than the previous Keaton films we have seen, although there is something about Sherlock Jr. that continues to intrigue me. I'm glad we chose this film as a part of the study, I have a new found respect for Buster.
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