Allo Berlin? Ici Paris! is a charming, fuzzy relic

Is it worth the watch?

Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for 1930s European fluff. If you need pacing or logic, steer clear. It’s for the folks who want to see how people flirted before the internet ruined everything.

The whole premise hinges on these long-distance calls. It’s sweet, sure. But it also drags in ways that feel like you're stuck on hold with a utility company. Still, there’s a certain magic to the crackle of the early sound design.

Watching these two connect through wires is surprisingly tender. You find yourself rooting for them, even when the dialogue feels a bit stiff. It reminded me a little of the simplicity found in The Balloonatic, though with significantly fewer stunts and way more rotary phones. 📞

The technical side of things? It’s messy. Sometimes the audio dips so low you’re leaning in, squinting at the screen like you’re trying to eavesdrop on a neighbor. Other times, the background noise in the telephone exchange is just chaotic.

There's this one scene where a switchboard operator is just… going to town on those cables. It looks like a high-stakes knitting project gone wrong. It’s oddly hypnotic to watch.

I caught myself wondering if the actors actually knew how to use the equipment or if they were just pretending to be busy. Some of them look like they’re trying to solve a Rubik’s cube in the dark. It’s a bit silly, really.

Compared to the grit of something like Huragan, this movie is practically floating in the clouds. It’s not trying to change the world. It’s just trying to be a nice little story about two people who live way too far apart.

If you're expecting a deep dive into the political climate of the time, forget it. This is strictly bubblegum. It’s not as punchy as Flying Fists, obviously, but it has a charm that’s hard to shake off.

The ending is a bit abrupt. It’s like the writers suddenly remembered they had a train to catch and just stopped the film. No big dramatic showdown, just a quiet little realization. I didn't mind it.

• The sound of the ringtone is basically a character on its own.
• The Parisian streets look painted, in the best possible way.
• I’m still not convinced anyone actually worked in those offices.
• The hats! Everyone is wearing such perfect, slightly uncomfortable hats.

It’s a bit of a weird pick for a rainy Sunday, but I’m glad I stuck with it. It’s not great art, but it’s human enough to keep me awake.