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6.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Big Hearted Herbert remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for pre-code era bickering and domestic comedies, sure. It’s light, it’s snappy, and Guy Kibbee is basically a professional at playing the guy you love to hate. If you need high-stakes drama or modern pacing, skip it. You'll just be annoyed by the shouting.
Herbert is the kind of guy who probably yells at clouds. He treats his own living room like a kingdom where he’s the only one allowed to speak. Watching him derail his daughter’s engagement dinner isn't just awkward—it’s actually painful. You can feel the air leave the room. Really.
The whole thing turns when his wife, played by the fantastic Aline MacMahon, decides she’s done playing the silent partner. She doesn't just yell back. She sets a trap. It's the kind of quiet, devious revenge that makes the second half of the movie feel like a different, much more satisfying animal.
There’s this one scene where Herbert is trying to sell some business idea to these wealthy clients. He’s sweating, he’s overacting, he’s being Herbert. And you just know the rug is about to be pulled out. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in The Bigger Man, where things also spiral way too fast for the main guy's own good.
The movie doesn't really try to be profound. It just wants to see a blowhard get his ego smashed. Is the humor a bit dusty? Yes. Is the 'Harvard boy' stereotype laid on a little thick? Absolutely. But honestly, watching Kibbee squirm is worth the price of admission.
It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s just a movie about a guy who talks too much getting a reality check. Sometimes that’s enough. 🍿