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Mike Rupert1.0

...and so does this movie.

elhijodesureputisimamadre2.0

Apparently, Mel Brooks wanted to transport us to the poverty world, so he had his cinematographer pick the shittiest cameras he could find. Peak directing right there. Ok, I didn’t know what to expect at all from this film. I just knew that the concept seemed somewhat interesting, and that I fucking love Mel Brooks. So naturally I had to give it a go. What are my thoughts on it? Well, let me just put it this way: life isn’t the only thing that sucks. This is, by far, one of the most tonally inconsistent films I’ve seen in a good chunk of time. The mere idea of Mel Brooks making a true heartfelt drama had a lot of potential. It’s been known that most comedic actors and filmmakers do very well on dramatic territory. The problem is that not only does the dramatic effect come in cliched and underdeveloped territory: it also comes with the right amount of absurd humor that doesn’t quite land to bring the movie way down, and let’s throw in a nonsensical plot development, just for good measure. It doesn’t help at all that most scenes are so clumsily made and directed that they might drive you insane. What the hell happened? As much as I love Mel Brooks as an actor, I can’t exactly say I loved his performance here. There’s something about it that should make it appropriate, but doesn’t. I can’t quite explain it. What I can explain though is how great does Lesley Ann Warren do. She managed to do something I’d never thought I’d see anybody do: overshadow Mel Brooks. She does one hell of a job. And pretty much every other supporting actor does. Except Jeffrey Tambor. Fuck Jeffrey Tambor. To wrap things up, one of the most nothing movies I’ve seen. I can’t believe there’s such a thing as a Mel Brooks L, let alone an L this massive. It doesn’t know what it wants to be, it takes the most contrived routes you can imagine, and it’s a waste of a concept and good intentions. I might’ve gotten a couple chuckles from this, but I don’t think I’ll be rewatching this anytime soon. Mr. Brooks, c’mon. On a side note, I just wanna state that I’ve officially reached 1000 FOLLOWERS. Thank you guys so very much for interacting with me on this platform. It means one hell of a lot. Love y’all. And remember, life doesn’t stink. Don’t get fooled. Previous review: First Blood (1982, Ted Kotcheff) My list of everything I watched in 2026

Daniel3.0

"Where's your sense of loyality? Honesty? Decency?""Mr. Bolt, we're lawyers."Goddard Bolt (Mel Brooks), CEO of Bolt Enterprises, cares only about himself and his wealth. Bolt is buying up a local Los Angeles slum to tear it down and built new real estate on it, however, his rival Vance Crasswell (Jeffrey Tambor) has already bought half of it. Then, Crasswell offers Bolt to give him his half if Bolt manages to live for 30 days as a homeless man in the very slum they're after ...Life Stinks is a comedy film co-written and directed by Mel Brooks.This is one of the few of Brooks' movies which isn't a parody, his first non-parody since 1970's The Twelve Chairs (my review). It was also the final one in which he played the lead role himself.Life Stinks is a more straightforward comedy, without farce or the broad humor Brooks usually employs, and it even deals with rather serious themes, although there are still some very funny moments in it. With its social commentary, it also reminded me of the classic comedy Sullivan's Travels (my review), which has a somewhat similar premise.Next to Brooks, who delivers a good and very nuanced performance, it also stars the lovely Lesley Ann Warren, who's even better, as well as an delightful Jeffrey Tambor.The film is one of Brooks' weakest, and certainly not as sharp and hilarious as his best films. It feels rather shallow, but it's still a well-made movie, with enough good moments to make it work.In conclusion, Life Stinks is a good and heartfelt comedy with some social commentary, and good performances by its cast, which nonetheless pales in comparison to Brooks' best films.RankingsMel Brooks' films