Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Purely Joyful Movie!

Absolutely Fantastic

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

"Seven Chances" contains one of the best and funniest chase sequences ever filmed. Having said that, the film does have some flaws.Beginning with the prologue filmed in two strip Technicolor, which I think was put in there more as a novelty because it serves no useful purpose in respect of the story. All the scenes are filmed at seasonal intervals where Buster Keaton is shown with his leading lady Ruth Dwyer in front of her house, afraid to express his love for her. The early part of the film kind of drags as Buster learns of his inheritance and begins his search for a bride.The story has Financial broker James Shannon (Keaton) and his partner (T. Roy Barnes) whose firm is on the brink of ruin, receiving news of Shannon's inheritance of seven million dollars from the estate of Shannon's grandfather. The news is delivered by the family lawyer (Snitz Edwards). The only proviso is that Shannon must be married by 7PM that very day.First Shannon unsuccessfully proposes to his girl friend Mary Jones (Dwyer). Next the trio (Keaton, Barnes and Edwards) visit their country club where they draft a list of seven (i.e. chances) women that Shannon could ask to marry. Naturally all turn him down unaware of the potential fortune awaiting them.The partner and the lawyer hit upon the idea of advertising for a wife for Shannon in the afternoon newspaper. Then the fun begins. Hordes of prospective brides show up at the church, Shannon flees and................................................The chase sequences at the climax of the film have become legendary. First the brides (where did Keaton get all those extras?) pursue him through the streets of 1925 Los Angeles then Buster accidentally starts a rock slide forcing him to try to outrun the falling rocks. I don't know how fast Buster could run but these scenes are expertly choreographed and are a highlight of Keaton's career. He also manages to throw in an array of patented Keaton sight gags and pratfalls, particularly in the climatic scenes.Highly recommended, particularly for the final third of the film.

It's amazing how I always managed to be impressed by Buster Keaton's movies. This is a wonderfully hilarious movie because everything escalates in the craziest ways imaginable. A lot of it doesn't make sense, but it's way too entertaining to even care. The best part is easily the massive chase scene at the end. It's simply great to see how much this goes on and how far they're willing to take it. This is another movie I love because I am seriously eager to see how it ends. The ending did not disappoint and it's quite unexpected.Even better is how Keaton comes off as so realistic in this. Apart from having great gags and slapstick, I really do associate with this character a lot! I guess it might only be because I'm nearing my twenty-seventh birthday and have yet to find a wife myself! Thankfully, I'm not in this scenario myself! It takes awhile for the really good parts to happen, but they're so amazing you're not going to care! Don't get me wrong, there are many great scenes before, especially another zany car chase.Whenever I hear the name "Keaton" in terms of actors, I always think of Michael Keaton. It's sad that his career ended with sound movies. I think there's a heard sound effect in this movie with one of the guns fired. Perfect ****.

I have always heard Buster Keaton was a genius. He may be but in my Silent movie revival I have not really enjoyed any of his movies before this one.So honestly I was not so exited when I saw it was a Buster Keaton movie I was going to see. But my doubt was proved very wrong.I was laughing through most of the movie and especially the last half part was amazing. It was not like they reused the comical situations. All the time new and wonderful things happened, and it was not really hard to see this movie have inspired a lot of other movies over time.If you love a great comedy you definitely need to see this movie. By far the best Buster Keaton movie I have seen. I would also place it in my top 3 with Silent movie comedies. Even fun for people not used to Silent movies.

What's worse than being a girl having to fight off 1,000 other possible brides for a chance to marry a millionaire? Hearing the minister later tell all of you ladies to leave the church quietly, that this whole thing must've been a prank! *YIKES!*One of THE funniest movies I've ever seen, especially the famous climactic chase scene. While I loved how "College" showed off some of Buster's many athletic skills, I think this one actually shows them just as well if not better. Great how all those boulders chased off the rabid pack of brides, too - I'll bet even "Jimmie" the groom had to laugh to himself about that. ;-D Some reviewers felt it started off rather slow, which it did, but when Buster made a film HIS way, this was usually the case - build, build, and build then push 'em out into the aisles laughing! Oh, and throw in some great sight gags along the way: the scene in the clock shop was priceless! I was surprised to learn that this was one of Buster's least favorite films, but despite that, being forced on him by Joe Schenck, I think he took a weak pitch and knocked it 'way out of the ballpark! Keaton + sow's ear = silk purse.MY, what a rare mix of talent Buster had! He was a prize stallion that should've ran free forever, and never should have been fenced in at the Malicious Greedy Morons studio. I'm so glad in his later years, he was vindicated as a wonderful comedic genius, loved and revered by millions everywhere for all time. :-)