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3.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 3.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. A Pair of Socks remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly? No. Unless you are a historian digging through the absolute bottom of the barrel of silent-era comedy, just keep scrolling. It’s the kind of movie that makes you realize why some things are better left lost in a dusty vault.
If you have a weird fascination with 1920s slapstick, maybe you'll find a glimmer of something here. But for anyone else? It’s a chore. It’s just a chore.
The premise is classic, tired stuff: Mack gets pressured into a boxing match he can't win. It’s meant to be funny, I think? But the rhythm is all off. It feels like the director just said 'go' and hoped for the best.
There is this moment in the ring where the opponent just stares at Mack for way too long. It’s not dramatic; it’s just awkward. It feels like the guy forgot his lines or was waiting for a cue that never came. Painful.
I can’t ignore the blackface. It’s everywhere, and it’s distracting, and frankly, it just makes the whole experience feel gross. It drains any joy you might have squeezed out of the physical comedy.
It’s a reminder that not everything from the past deserves a second look. Sometimes, history is just ugly.
I've seen some pretty rough shorts before, like Mickey's Big Business, which at least had some actual energy. The Truant Husband had a bit more charm, too. This? This just feels like they ran out of ideas halfway through the first reel.
Seriously, the pacing is so frantic it gives you a headache. It feels like the editor was trying to hide how little content they actually had to work with. One minute Mack is standing there, the next, the movie is basically over. 🎞️
I’m still not sure why they titled it A Pair of Socks. Maybe it’s a metaphor for how thin the plot is? Who knows. I’m done thinking about it now.