'Our Hospitality' took my breath away. A simple plotline based upon true events allowed Keaton to develop an at-times hilarious and consistently breathtaking film of great wit, invention, drama, pathos and charm.
The humour in this movie is subtly crafted (the open-eyed saying of grace, the moving of the train rails and the donkey walking away straight after, Buster's dream-house inheritance going up in smoke, the laying down of arms, the dress and umbrella on the horse, Keaton standing on the riverbed looking around in confusion) and doesn't rely on slapstick or Old Stoneface's deadpan delivery.
Equally impressive are the visuals- there is a tracking shot of Keaton doing the splits between gradually separating portions of a train which is years ahead of its time.
But perhaps the most important aspect is the dramatic chase sequence as the film builds to a wonderful climax. I'm loathe to spoil the surprise of what is to come should anyone read this before seeing- it's a long shot, but the rescue is such an amazing thing to see that it would be a real shame to risk it.
There were moments in 'Our Hospitality' when I literally couldn't believe what I had seen. It isn't the funniest comedy I've ever seen, but it is one of the most impressive pieces of cinema. The only negative is the ropey pacing that allows the viewer's interest to flag in parts. 9/10.
