An Auto and No Money: A relic worth digging up?

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for silent-era-adjacent physical comedy where people fall down a lot and lose their hats, you’ll probably get a kick out of An Auto and No Money. If you need a movie to actually move at a modern pace or have a coherent emotional arc, you are going to find this incredibly tedious.

It’s the kind of movie that assumes a man in a chauffeur’s cap is inherently hilarious. And honestly? Sometimes it works. 🎩

The premise that never gets old

The whole "rich guy swaps with poor guy" thing has been done to death, but there’s a certain charm to how they handle it here. The celebrity is desperate to get away from a wedding he clearly doesn't want, which is a mood, honestly. The switch happens fast, maybe too fast, but you don't really watch this for the tight scriptwriting.

The pacing is a bit of a mess. One minute they’re in a high-speed chase—or what passed for high speed in a car that looks like a lawnmower—and the next, they’re just standing around waiting for someone to deliver a punchline.

Small observations

There’s this one scene where the chauffeur tries to navigate a fancy dinner party, and the way he handles the silverware is genuinely funny. It feels less like a rehearsed bit and more like the actor just didn't know what to do with his hands. It works! 🍴

I couldn't help but think about Below Zero while watching this. There’s a similar vibe of people trying to act dignified while everything around them is falling apart. It’s not quite as sharp as the best stuff from that era, but it’s got enough energy to keep you awake.

The lighting in the interior shots is... let's call it moody. Mostly because you can barely see the faces of the side characters. Maybe that was for the best. 🤷‍♂️

Final thoughts

It’s a breezy watch. Don't expect to be changed by it. It’s not The Fly Ball, but it isn't trying to be. It’s just a goofy little movie about a guy who really, really didn't want to get married.

If you like movies that feel like a dusty attic find, give it a go. Just don't go looking for deep meaning. You won't find it under all those chauffeur hats.