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5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Are We Civilized? remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you're the type of person who digs through old cinematic archives just to see how filmmakers were processing the world before things went truly sideways in the late 30s. If you want a tight, well-paced drama, look elsewhere. You will probably hate this if you need modern pacing or characters who act like actual human beings rather than walking, talking manifestos.
The whole thing feels like a history textbook that someone tried to turn into a movie overnight. Paul is less of a person and more of a megaphone for the writers. Every time he opens his mouth, you can almost hear the script hitting the desk.
The movie loves to jump back and forth through time to prove its point. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Weary River, though with way more baggage. There are these huge segments showing the 'history of mankind' that feel like a high school project that got way too much budget. It’s all very grand, but also oddly empty.
There's this moment where Paul just stands there, staring off into the middle distance while the music swells, and you really start to wonder if he’s ever going to stop talking. It’s a very specific kind of 1930s earnestness that we just don't have anymore. It’s almost sweet, in a weird way, how much they thought a few lines of dialogue could stop a rising tide of madness.
It’s nowhere near the charm of something like The Fascinating Widow. Instead, it feels like a heavy weight you’re dragging through the living room. Still, there’s something fascinating about watching a movie try to scream at a storm that’s already on the horizon. It’s a complete mess, but it’s a sincere one. 📽️
