It's all for power

Steve Buscemi as Nikita Khruschev from The Death of Stalin (2017) 

Inspired by real events, but based on a historically inaccurate French play, 'The Death of Stalin' is a perfect dark comedy. A veneer of self deprecating humor runs as a recurring theme through out the film, masking the tragic and grotesque events of senseless violence bound to happen in any worthwhile power struggle. Gentle satire without outright criticism, comedy without cringe - ever disappearing skills come to the fore in this brilliant take by Armando Iannucci.

1953, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) - Stalin passed away after a brutal and repressive rule of 29 years and all hell breaks loose. In come a variety of characters to the fore, all pale shadows during Stalin's era, but now free and seeking power - the contrast is palpable. Two individuals stand out in this struggle eventually - On one side is Lavrentiy Beria, head of the dreaded NKVD, impeccably portrayed by Simon Russel Beale & then the Moscow head of the Party - the future General Secretary Nikita Khrushcev, essayed by Steve Buscemi. A shoutout to the apt and hilarious cast - Jasson Issaccs as Marshal Zhukov, Jeffery Tambor as stand in General Secretary Malenkov, other ministers, Rupert Friend as Vassily Stalin.

The film does have it's limitations. For once, director Iannucci himself stated that he 'toned down the real life absurdity', and we cannot expect such a dark comedy to strictly adhere to the rigors of historical accuracy. Moreover, Dark Comedy is not everyone's cup of tea.





The Death of Stalin (2017) by Armando Iannucci is a British Satirical Dark Comedy film based on a French Play - 'La Morte de Stalline'