“It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses.”
At first there’s a very laid back cool, much like the characters themselves. Twenty minutes in, we get to The Mall. If you’ve seen this movie, you remember The Mall. (“Lots of space in this mall.”) Here is where the film finds its rhythm which will carry it through to the end. Giant waves of property damage and two very cool, laid-back white blues musicians in the eye of the storm. You could blame this film for the many horrible, over-budgeted comedies which focus on the destruction of property for laughs. This normally doesn’t work, and it shouldn’t, but there’s a deep level of commitment to The Blues Brothers. The destruction is so thorough and reckless it’s like great slapstick comedy from the silent era. You can’t watch the impossible vehicular physics at play when being chased by the Nazis and think different. The chase finale is capped by the great visual punchline of the duo getting out of the car and looking back right as it falls completely apart.
Both Aykroyd and Belushi have never been better on film, which I attribute to them being so comfortable with the SNL time playing the characters. There’s no need to come to set with quirks and wacky ideas hoping they work. They already have these boys down pat. All that’s left is to not be phased by the property damage. Though they each have great solo moments, this is some of the best buddy chemistry in film history. Once Belushi passed, any hope of a decent follow-up went with him.
The boys are surrounded by two amazing groups of supporting cast. There are the people they encounter along the film, either friends like the former band members or enemies like the many cops, Nazis, a country western band and Carrie Fisher. These people all provide the comedic fodder. Then there are the musicians, legendary musicians. James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway. They bring the music to the party and John Landis films them with the same energy he gives to the destruction. The Brothers also have a couple of nice numbers, but comedy is the duo’s strong suit so their best moment is in the country bar when they win the crowd over with an unexpectedly superb rendition of “Rawhide”. It’s such a funny moment you might easily overlook how good Aykroyd’s singing is here.
Some of you may have heard about how the film had a cocaine budget to keep everyone going through all the night shoots. I worked with two people who worked on the film – one actor and one grip – and they both confirmed it. Said it was part of Craft Service.
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