This is actually a serious movie with Brooks wackiness as a "topping." Because the plot is kind of wild it almost serves as a Mel Brooks type of story. It is a typically Russian story, heavily laden with irony and pathos. Actually pretty well done in my opinion, but kind of choppy. As in some other movies, Brooks has a very good song in this one. "Hope for the best, expect the worst." That pretty much sums up the movie, which will disappoint his fans who like "Blazing Saddles" and so forth. But I recommend it to them anyway, if only for the sake of completeness. Note: Fans of the British comedy "Are You Being Served?" can see Nicholas Smith (Mr Rumbold) in a small role here, two lines I think.
Review of The Twelve Chairs
