Summary
In 'Nearly Rich', we witness a biting satire of the American dream through the lens of Charley, a perennial underdog working in a hostile corporate environment. The narrative follows Charley's daily struggle against a tyrannical boss who finds sadistic joy in Charley’s tardiness and general incompetence. When Charley attempts a gesture of sincere affection by offering a rose to the boss's secretary, he is met with cold rejection and the literal trashing of his sentiment. However, the discovery of a dead uncle and a supposed massive inheritance flips the social hierarchy on its head. The boss, once a predator, becomes a sycophant, funding a lavish lifestyle for Charley in anticipation of a windfall. The climax hinges on a bizarrely cruel will that distributes wealth based on physical weight, leaving the slight-framed Charley with nothing but a cuckoo clock. This object of mockery ultimately becomes the instrument of his salvation, revealing a hidden fortune in a moment of frustrated violence that finally grants Charley the upper hand over his oppressors.
Synopsis
Charley has a tough time getting to work, and when he arrives late, the boss gives him the razzberry. He presents the boss' secretary with a rose. The boss promptly throws it into the basket and incidentally, he has a half dozen flowers of his own to give to the girl, but they are smeared with ink. His face is blackened as a result. He is on the verge of firing the big fat boob when he receives a letter for Charley announcing that Charley's rich uncle is dead. The boss treats Charley most gloriously and sends him to a fine tailor and haberdasher. When the will is read, each relative is given a dollar for every pound he or she might weigh. Charley is given a cuckoo clock. The secretary gives him the go-bi. Then the trades people enter and take their clothes from him. The boss enters as Charley tosses the clock away. It hits the boss on the dome, and a shower of bills fall out. Charley then throws the boss out and collapses with joy.
Review Excerpt
"Is 'Nearly Rich' a hidden gem of the silent era worth your time today? Short answer: yes, but only if you appreciate the frantic, slightly mean-spirited energy of 1920s slapstick shorts.
This film is for enthusiasts of early physical comedy and those who enjoy seeing the 'little man' finally get one over on his corporate overlords. It is not for viewers who require nuanced character development or a slow-burn narrative.
The Core Dynamics of Nearly Rich
1) This film works because its cynicism reg..."
