Maximum Insanity & Masterful Direction
Where and how do I even start?This was a film I was recommended around 7 years ago and I recently found the time to watch it due to the Covid-19 lockdown. How I regret not having seen it sooner!
Lemonade Joe is a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant satire brought to us in the form of a western musical. Yes, you heard me right... a satiric western musical. Ever find yourself moping around the house because you can't quench your thirst for this genre? Well, my friend, search no longer.
This film is by all accounts maximum insanity but it still never gets away from itself. Even within the realm of complete wackiness do we have well-written, memorable characters and songs that shine in front of the very technical and masterful direction of Oldrich Lipsky. The most fascinating choice among everything is probably the use of color filters to suggest mood changes throughout. Everything still looks beautiful though, and the decision adds wonderful atmosphere.
From the first moments of a raucous saloon fight to the bustling town shot at the end, have I never seen such pure cartoonish slapstick pulled off so smoothly (and by no means am I downplaying the slapstick of Chaplin/Keaton and the general vaudeville era, it's just REALLY well done here). It's also really too much for me to cover examples without spoiling the set-ups which are all worth it on their own.
Now go get yourself some Kolalola Lemonade, sit back, and bask in the gloriousness that is Lemonade Joe.
score 10/10
Ziglet_mir 25 March 2020
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5577906/34944
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