Bunker Bean: Napoleon in a Suit

Is it worth the time?

If you like old-school, snappy studio-era comedies where everyone talks a little too fast and the stakes feel like they’re being played for keeps in a sandbox, then sure. It’s a breezy watch. If you hate movies where the entire plot hinges on one flimsy lie, maybe skip it.

Bunker Bean is one of those guys you feel bad for for about five minutes, then you start wondering why he doesn't just stand up for himself. He’s stuck in a rut. Then he visits a fortune teller and suddenly he’s convinced he’s royalty. It’s a classic setup.

The Napoleon Complex

Watching him try to adopt this "Pharaoh energy" in a modern office setting is pretty funny. He walks differently. He talks like he’s running a kingdom instead of filing paperwork. It’s the kind of performance that leans into the silly, which is honestly the only way it works.

There’s this one moment where he’s trying to intimidate the boss and you can see him struggling to keep a straight face. It’s not *Citizen Kane*, but it has heart. It’s definitely more lighthearted than something like The Charge of the Light Brigade, which is clearly a whole different beast.

Little Details

• The office sets look like they were built in an afternoon, but that’s half the charm.
• The supporting cast is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
• Joan Davis is great, as always, even when she’s not given much to do.
• The scene with the crystal ball is so obviously fake it’s almost endearing.

I found myself wondering if anyone actually bought the "reincarnation" bit back when this came out. Probably not. It’s a movie that doesn't ask you to think too hard, which is a nice break from the heavy stuff. It’s got that shrug-your-shoulders kind of energy.

The ending is a bit telegraphed, obviously. He realizes he didn't need the Pharaoh thing. He had the 'spunk' all along. It’s a bit cheesy, but hey, it’s a feel-good flick. Not everything needs to be a masterpiece.

If you’re looking for something that won't ruin your evening but won't change your life, this is it. It’s just a nice, weird little story about a guy who finally decides to stop being a doormat. Sometimes that’s enough. 🎩