Department Store: A Charming Case of Mistaken Identity

Is it worth your time?

If you like old British films that don't take themselves too seriously, you'll probably have a good time here. It’s light, it’s fluffy, and it moves at a pace that feels like a brisk walk through a crowded shop. If you need grit or high stakes, skip it. You will absolutely hate this if you get annoyed by characters who can't just speak up and explain who they are.

There is something inherently funny about the setup. Sebastian Shaw plays the heir who wants to see how the other half lives, and he is just so earnestly stiff about it. He wanders into his own store and starts doing grunt work, and naturally, everyone assumes he is someone else entirely. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in How Shall I Tell My Husband? where one wrong word leads to an hour of headaches.

The manager is a piece of work. He’s that specific kind of petty tyrant who thinks he’s running a kingdom instead of a retail space. Watching him try to boss around an ex-con—who he thinks is the rich heir—is the highlight of the whole thing. The actor, Garry Marsh, puts so much effort into being unlikable that it actually circles back to being kind of fun to watch.

Small details I noticed:

• The background extras in the store scenes look like they have no idea why they are there.
• There’s a door that squeaks every single time it opens. I started counting it.
• The way they hold their hats is almost a dance move at this point.

The movie doesn't try to be more than it is. It isn't trying to be Perekop or something heavy. It knows it’s a comedy of errors. Sometimes the pacing hits a weird snag where a conversation lingers for about ten seconds too long, and you can see the actors waiting for their cue. It’s charming, honestly. It feels like watching a play where the actors are just happy to be out of the rain.

Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a good way to spend a rainy afternoon? Maybe. I think I liked it more because it didn't ask anything of me. It’s just people running around a store, tripping over their own lies, and looking fancy while doing it. 🛍️

I caught myself laughing at a bit where someone drops a stack of fabric. It wasn't even a big joke. Just a clumsy moment. The movie feels better when it stops trying to be a clever farce and just lets people be clumsy.