‘The Death of Stalin’

The humour may be sporadic and a little too often writer/director Armando Ianucci’s irreverent political satire falls into slapstick. But The Death of Stalin is, at times, genuinely laugh-out-loud funny.

The individual members of the Secretariat position themselves to take control of the Soviet Union at the death of their leader. Politician Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi) and Lavrenti Beria (Simon Russell Beale), head of the secret service, emerge as favourites. No stone is left unturned as the two jockey to gain the upper hand.

Events become more and more farcical as the two become more and more desperate – and Rupert Friend as Stalin’s alcoholic son, Vasily, is a complete misfire. But the savage comedy, when it works, works very, very well. Pity it wasn’t consistent.

Rating: 58%

Director: Armando Ianucci (In the Loop, TV’s Veep)

Writer: Armando Ianucci (In the Loop, TV’s Veep), Fabien Nury (TV’s Guyane), David Schneider (All the Queen’s Men, TV’s Uncle Max), Ian Martin (In the Loop, TV’s Veep)

Main cast: Steve Buscemi (Fargo, Armageddon), Simon Russell Beale (The Deep Blue Sea, The Legend of Tarzan), Rupert Friend (The Young Victoria, Boy in the Striped Pyjamas)