Mr. Freedom

1969 satirical farce

Rating: 16/20

Plot: Freedom-fighting superhero Mr. Freedom is summoned to France to fight off the French Anti-Freedom movement and communists from Switzerland. The French don't want him, so with the aid of Marie Madeleine and other freedom-lovers (Dick Sensass, M. Drugstore, Freddie Fric), he starts his own organization to battle against the evil Moujik Man and Giant Red China Man. And Jesus.

There's a nerve near my left elbow (only my left elbow) and very close to the ulnar nerve. And like that nerve (the funny bone), this place near my left elbow (only my left elbow) tingles on occasion, generally when stroked. I call it the absurd bone, and it tingled like a mo-fo the duration of this combination of deranged agitprop and pop art diarrhea. This work by documentary filmmaker William Klein was just crazy, utilizing comic book effects (gun shots you'd expect to see in the old Batman t.v. show), insane humorous touches (pink KKK guys, Yves Montaud's cameo as the deceased Captain Formidable), the goofiest costumes you'll ever see, inflatable villains, and excessive and almost sickening colors. The stoopid clobbers you over the head with this one, but at the same time, it's impossible not to catch the genius and the message behind the madness, no matter how heavy-handed the latter might be. I'm sure that anti-American message wasn't appreciated in the center of the Vietnam conflict, and the scary thing is that the message is just as relevant today and still wouldn't be appreciated. I couldn't believe it when Mr. Freedom said, "You with me or against me?" in a way that made it seem like this was made during Bush's administration. There are some terrifically comical scenes throughout this. Freedom's appearance in his red white and blue costume made from sports equipment, his guns a-blazin'. The freedom pep rally with songs and speeches and a video montage of what makes America great that I had to watch twice. The trip to the U.S. Embassy that resembled a colorful supermarket. The wild training of the freedom fighters, absurd in an almost Heironymus Boschian way. There are some great lines in this. Every conversation between Dr. Freedom and Mr. Freedom is hilarious, and Mr. Freedom's rambling speeches, which he delivers in this quick cadence, are great. The first question at the American Embassy--"Welcome, Mr. Freedom. How's Batman and John Wayne?"--made me laugh. I won't spoil more. This easily has both rubbery boots in the "not for everybody" camp, but if you're in need of having your absurd bone stroked, this might be the film for you. And if you're a communist? Well, I'm not sure there is a more anti-American movie. I look forward to more William Klein flicks.