Lessons in Flames
- Tagline
- Where there's smoke, there's laughter.
- Description
- In an offbeat glimpse at the turn of the millennium, 'Lessons in Flames' follows the unlikely friendship of two public servants: a jovial firefighter named Jack Emberlin (Haddock McDaniel) and a quirky history teacher Lawrence Booker (John Slattery). When Jack's obsession with historical fires leads him to audit Lawrence's class, the pair quickly discover the underbelly of a town riddled with comical corruption. Alongside Rhino Fleming playing the witty yet unexpectedly wise school principal, our heroes embark on a warmly humorous mission to shine a light on the town's darker dealings while trying to keep their own integrity intact. With ludicrous lessons from the past and an arsenal of slapstick strategies, the duo sets the stage for an uproarious, family-friendly adventure. Amidst all the antics, director Andrei Tarkovskunk crafts a tale that cheekily ignites a dialogue about power, corruption, and community service - proving that history isn't just about the dates; it's about the laughs that keep us learning.
- MpaaRating
- PG
- PopularityScore
- 2.70
- ReleaseDate
- 08/10/2023
- Genre
- History
- Director(s)
- Cast
Critic Reviews
7.30
With a tagline that keeps the smoke alarms of comedy blaring, 'Lessons in Flames' singes the funny bone like a well-charred marshmallow at a farcical bonfire. Anchored by the flamboyant antics of Haddock McDaniel and the droll charm of John Slattery, this flick doesn't just climb the ladder of humorous filmmaking; it pole-dances on it. Director Andrei Tarkovskunk, a visionary who apparently snorted a line of Monty Python skits before calling 'Action!,' delivers a simmering pot of laughs with a dash of satirical hot sauce. Rhino Fleming, the sage of the school halls, nearly steals the show, proving that wisdom can also wear a whoopee cushion. The film's PG rating ensures the innuendos fly as high as a fireman's hose yet land softly enough for a family night in. Crafting a barrel of snickers without sacrificing a smokey lens on societal issues, 'Lessons in Flames' serves up comedic arson that will make audiences want to pull the fire alarm, just for the thrill of not evacuating the theater. If history and humor had a baby, this movie would be bouncing in its crib, gurgling with glee – and probably spitting up a little bit on traditional storytelling. For a film that's about as subtle as a fire truck in a library, it's definitely serviceable and deserving of a 7.3 for sparking more fires of laughter than of enlightenment.