Brother Alfred: A chaotic mess or just a bit of fun?

Look, if you’re looking for something that makes total sense, skip Brother Alfred. If you just want to see a guy dig his own grave for an hour and a half because he had one too many drinks, you’ll probably find this charming.

It’s not for the impatient. The pacing drags in spots where you really wish they’d just get on with the lying.

The "Twin" Problem

The whole bit about pretending to have a twin brother is the kind of classic comedy trope that usually makes me roll my eyes, but it’s actually kind of funny here. George is so bad at it. He just keeps piling lie on top of lie until he’s stuck in a corner.

There’s this one scene where he has to maintain the charade and he looks like he’s about to faint. You can almost see the gears grinding in his head. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Taxi, just without the cars.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Brother Alfred (1932) through its definitive frames.

• The costume department clearly had a field day with the mustaches.
• Some of the reactions from the supporting cast are so over-the-top they’re practically vibrating.
• The prince character is basically a cardboard cutout with a fancy hat.

Honestly, the movie feels a bit like it was put together in a rush. Some shots linger on empty chairs for no reason. Maybe the camera operator was tired? Who knows.

It doesn't have the grit you’d find in Insult, but that’s fine. It’s not trying to be a drama. It’s just trying to be a silly romp.

I kept thinking about how much easier life would be if George just told the truth, but then there wouldn't be a movie, would there? 🤷‍♂️

Is it worth watching? Sure, if you like old British comedies that don't take themselves too seriously. Just don't expect it to change your life. It’s just a bit of a laugh.