Leo Mccarey Duck Soup Analysis

Politicians in today’s world are comparable to celebrities. Politicians are followed anywhere they go and, more often than not, have their secrets revealed. Many times these secrets are corrupt actions. Politicians have been known to extort tax money to fuel their own personal endeavors. Whether these endeavors are for financial gain or for one fun night, it is still unethical. Yet, the majority of the public forgets these corrupt acts after a scripted apology from the politician. Leo McCarey’s Duck Soup explores the unethical and absurd actions of those in power in the government ranging from bribing all the way to starting a war over a petty fight between two people. Leo McCarey utilizes the actors, witty dialogue, and comedy to create an unforgettable satire focusing on the unpunished corruption of …show more content…
The only real talent one must have in order to gain power is charisma. Mrs. Teasdale loves Firefly so much that she completely misses his fatal flaws. The people of Freedonia are so enthralled with Firefly that they cannot see the pointless war about to be fought. McCarey uses lighting to show that Firefly is leading Freedonia to danger. In Firefly’s private chamber, where we only see Firefly, the lighting is very dark. In this space, Firefly can be alone and show his true self. The dark lighting shows Firefly’s selfish motives and intentions. Once he enters a public area with other people, the lighting becomes much brighter and Firefly puts on his mask as the happy competent leader. We see this dark lighting come back at the end as Firefly starts to show his true character as defeat looms over Freedonia. Firefly shows his cowardliness by trying to get his Secretary of War to encourage the troops to victory as Firefly sits safely behind the lines. Or when Firefly drops his gun out of the window and asks Mrs. Teasdale to go out of the house into the dangerous battlefield to fetch the