April, April!: A weird little baking comedy

Is it worth the watch?

If you have a thing for vintage European comedies that feel like a stage play taped in a dusty studio, sure. You might get a kick out of it. If you need pacing, modern editing, or a plot that doesn't feel like it’s being held together by duct tape, stay far away. 🥯

April, April! isn't exactly a masterpiece, but it’s got this strange, quiet charm. It’s mostly for people who like to see how films were put together when they were still figuring out how to make two versions of the same movie at once. It’s a bit of a historical curiosity, really.

The Baker Takes Charge

The story is simple. A baker somehow ends up in the driver's seat of a major company that makes the stuff he uses to bake bread. It’s the kind of premise that sounds like a fever dream from 1935.

The transition between the bakery and the boardroom is… well, it’s abrupt. One minute he’s handling dough, and the next he’s dealing with suits who look like they’ve never touched a rolling pin in their lives. The way the movie handles this shift is almost funny, mostly because it doesn't really explain how he got the job. He just… is there.

Odd Little Moments

I found myself staring at the background extras a lot. Sometimes they look like they’re waiting for a bus rather than reacting to a major company takeover. It’s that weird, detached energy you get from older films.

There’s this one scene where a character is talking about baking supplies, and they hold the product up to the camera for way too long. It feels like an accidental commercial. It’s almost charming in how awkward it is. 🥖

Compared to the rest

If you're looking for something with a bit more grit or drama, this isn't it. It’s nowhere near the intensity of Der Fall des Generalstabs-Oberst Redl. It’s much lighter, almost fluffy, like a pastry that didn't quite rise.

It’s not as dramatic as Orphans of the Storm either. But honestly, it’s not trying to be. It just wants to exist and be a bit silly for an hour or so.

Final Thoughts (or lack thereof)

• The lighting is very flat, which makes everyone look like they’re being interviewed for a news report.
• The dialogue is fast, but it’s mostly just people shouting business jargon at each other.
• I’m still not entirely sure why the baker needed to own the company, but I stopped asking questions halfway through.

It’s fine. It’s not going to change your life. Sometimes, you just need a movie about a baker that doesn't take itself too seriously.