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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Companion Wanted remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you love classic black-and-white fluff where people wear fancy hats and talk in circles, you'll be fine here. If you need pacing faster than a brisk walk, or if you get hives from early 20th-century romantic tropes, maybe skip it.
It’s charming, but it’s definitely not reinventing the wheel. Don't go in expecting a thriller like The Midnight Warning. It’s much quieter than that.
The whole movie hinges on this car ride to the Riviera. There’s something inherently funny about the way they stage these old travel scenes. You can tell they aren't actually driving anywhere, and the background plates look like they were painted by someone who had only heard a description of a tree once.
I found myself zoning out during the dialogue, but honestly? That's part of the charm. It’s like listening to your grandparents tell a story you’ve already heard twice.
Is it a spoiler if the movie gives it away in the first five minutes? He tries so hard to act like a regular guy. It’s almost painful.
The way he leans against the car, trying to look 'modest,' is hilarious. You can practically see the mustache-twirling energy beneath the surface. It’s not quite as chaotic as Teacher's Pest, but there’s a similar feeling of characters just moving through the motions of a script.
There's a scene where they stop for lunch, and the silence between them feels like it lasts for an eternity. The director clearly loved a good pause, but sometimes you just want them to say the line already! 🙄
It’s a light snack of a movie. Nothing more, nothing less. If you’re looking for something heavy, go watch O Crime de Paula Matos instead.
I left the screen feeling like I’d just had a cup of lukewarm tea. Fine, but I probably wouldn't order it again.