'The Death of Stalin:' Comedy plus cautionary tale?

When leaders have absolute power, they act absurdly. That’s the take in the new movie “The Death of Stalin.” It’s about the power grab in Russia after Joseph Stalin died and stars Steve Buscemi, Michael Palin, and Jeffrey Tambor. “Veep” creator Armando Iannucci directed it.

Steve Buscemi as Krushchev, Adrian McLoughlin as Stalin, Jeffrey Tambor as Malenkov,

Dermot Crowley as Kaganovich, and Simon Russell Beale as Beria in

"The Death of Stalin." Photo by Nicola Dove, courtesy of IFC Films.

Filmmaker Armando Iannucci. Courtesy of IFC Films.