A Devil of a Fellow: A messy, charming costume mix-up

Is this worth your time?

Honestly, it depends on how much patience you have for old-school misunderstandings. If you want a tight, logical thriller, look elsewhere. But if you like watching people in fancy outfits get flustered, you might have a good time.

People who hate movies where the entire plot hinges on one person not just saying 'Hey, are you my sister?' will probably want to turn this off after ten minutes. 🙄

The vibe is... frantic

The whole thing feels like a stage play that got lost on its way to the theater. It is all about the costumes. Everyone is running around in masks or period gear, and it’s genuinely hard to tell who is supposed to be who.

There is this one moment where an officer is just staring at a woman, clearly expecting his sister, and the look on his face is just pure confusion. It felt very real. Like, he was genuinely thinking, 'Wait, did she change her hair or am I in the wrong room?'

Oddly specific observations

• The party scene is surprisingly loud for a film of its age. You can practically hear the fake champagne glasses clinking.
• The lighting in the hallway scenes is a bit murky. It makes everything feel like a secret, even when the dialogue is just basic small talk.
• I swear the background actors are just making up their own conversations. If you watch the edges of the frame, you’ll see someone pointing at a fake plant for a solid three minutes.

It’s a bit like watching International House without the comedy icons to hold the ship together. It drifts. It floats. It hits a wall. But it never really gets boring in a way that makes you want to quit.

Some of the acting feels a bit stiff, like they were afraid to bump into the furniture. Or maybe they were just worried about their wigs. Honestly, I’d be worried about my wig too if I had to run through those hallways.

Not a masterpiece, just a mess

I wouldn't call this a 'great' film. It’s got that uneven, slightly dusty feeling that comes with a lot of older comedies. It tries to be romantic, then it tries to be a farce, and it doesn't always nail the transition.

But there’s a charm to it. It’s like finding an old, slightly torn postcard in a jacket pocket. You don't know why you kept it, but you're glad it’s still there.

Don't overthink it. Just watch the hats. The hats are the best part. 🎩