Born That Way: A weird, dusty, and oddly charming relic

Is this thing worth your time?

If you're a fan of movies that feel like they were filmed inside a dusty library, then sure, go for it. People who need constant momentum will probably hate this. It moves like a tired horse on a hot afternoon.

I sat down with Born That Way expecting almost nothing, and somehow, it still felt like it was asking for a lot. It’s got that specific British stiffness that makes you want to straighten your back just by watching it.

The vibe is... specific

There's this moment about halfway through where John Laurie is just standing in a room. He does nothing. He just breathes. The scene lingers for an eternity. I checked my phone, checked my tea, and looked back, and he was still just standing there.

It’s weirdly hypnotic, though. It doesn't have the grand scale of something like Intolerance, but it has this tight, suffocating focus that’s kind of fascinating in a low-stakes way. ☕

• Terence de Marney looks like he’s perpetually annoyed by the set design.
• The dialogue is crisp, if a bit stiff, like a freshly starched collar.
• Some of the lighting choices make everyone look like they’re being interviewed in a police station.

If you put this next to The Oregon Trail, it makes that movie look like a high-octane action flick. That’s not a knock, really. Just an observation on the pacing.

I found myself getting distracted by the wallpaper in one scene. It’s peeling in a really specific spot near the door frame. Once you see it, you can't stop looking at it. That’s the real star of the film, honestly.

Kathleen Gibson does her best with the material, but the script feels like it was written by people who had never actually met a human being before. It’s all very polite and very, very distant.

I’m not saying it’s a masterpiece, because it definitely isn't. But it’s not a total waste of space either. It’s just... there. Like a piece of furniture you forgot you owned.

Maybe skip it unless you’re feeling particularly nostalgic for movies that don’t really go anywhere. It’s a strange little artifact. I’m glad I saw it, but I don't think I’ll ever need to see it again. 🎞️