Go West

Studio C does to westerns what Monty Python did to the Middle Ages. What makes this oh so much funnier than other wild west yuck yuck-fests is so much of the comedy is frontier specific as opposed to generalized humor wearing spurs. What the team does with the Donner party’s gig as a traveling circus is brilliant. The script was written by performers Berg, Call, Everton, Gray, Harkey, Madsen, Meek, Meese, Perry, and Warner and shows that they are all comedic geniuses.

Go West is one of the best-looking western comedies ever made, thanks to dazzling camerawork by Brenna Empey. The vistas of Utah captured here are worthy of a Fredric Remington painting. Seeing real snow falling in many scenes is also a treat, as 99% of all film precipitation is staged. The special effects are surprisingly exceptional. They end up being a lot fancier than expected for a low-budget comedy.

“…extraordinary…”

You could also get wrapped up in knots trying to compliment all the cast members, as all are devastatingly hilarious. Many place multiple roles, just like Kids in the Hall. However, you cannot help but single out Mallory Everton’s amazing work here. She is one of the few members who plays just one character throughout the picture. Her turn as Nora lives, breathes, and soils herself like a giant 19th-century Betsey Wetsey doll on the verge of keeling over. The lingering smell of death has never been so amusing. The depths of her body humor will have every orifice involuntary clapping.

Go West is one of those extraordinary comedies that you quote riffs from randomly in daily life. I am already addressing my wife as “traveling boy,” which puzzles her. This is the funniest western comedy so far this century. All others are welcome to challenge it, but they will get their heads blown clean off. Mine came off during the 90-minute chaotic hilarity I witnessed, thanks to the talents of everyone at Studio C.