I love Mel Brooks. He's one of those filmmakers who creates a world you can't escape. And then tears that world to pieces with devastating wit and ridiculous slapstick comedy.
My favorite of Brooks's comedies is Blazing Saddles. I love it. It's silly and smart at the same time, the kind of comedy that rarely shows up anymore.
It's a triple satire, of classic westerns, Hollywood sleeze and modern racial attitudes. And yet it has an entire scene dedicated to a bunch of fat guys farting. In the hands of a lesser filmmaker Blazing Saddles would have been completely unfocused and probably totally unfunny. But Brooks plays perfectly. Making super hip Sheriff Bart laid back and likable, an unlikely racial hero, and his sidekick, the Waco Kid remains my favorite Gene Wilder role (sorry Dr. Frankenstein, that's FRAHNKenSTEEN, and Willy Wonka).
I'm not sure it's a movie that could be made today, it's excessive use of the N-word, even in it's satirical setting was controversial then and would probably drown it now.
The rumor is that Blazing Saddles is the next one that Brooks is giving the Broadway treatment. I can only pray.
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