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6.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Double Harness remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old movies where people stand around and say clever things to each other while wearing nice hats, you’ll probably find this fine. If you’re looking for something with actual tension, you might find yourself checking your watch by the thirty-minute mark. It is a very polite, very 1933 kind of movie.
William Powell is his usual smooth self. Honestly, the man could read a grocery list and make it sound like a secret affair. But here, he spends a lot of time looking like he’s waiting for a train that isn’t coming.
Ann Harding is the one doing all the heavy lifting. She has to pull off the 'tricking a man into marriage' trope without making you hate her. It is a tough balance. Sometimes she succeeds. Other times, the chemistry feels like two people reading from a manual on how to be married.
There is a scene midway through where they are just sitting in a parlor. The silence is heavy. I don’t know if the sound guy fell asleep or if they were trying to be artistic, but it feels like you are sitting in the room with them. It’s awkward.
I couldn't help but think about A Lady of Chance while watching this. That movie had way more grit, even if it was a bit of a mess. Double Harness feels like it was ironed twice to make sure there wasn't a single wrinkle in the plot.
The dialogue is snappy, sure. But it is also a bit predictable. You know exactly what they are going to say before they say it. It’s like a conversation you have with a coworker you don’t know very well.
Is it a bad movie? No. Is it a memorable one? Probably not. It sits there, looking pretty, and then it ends. You might enjoy it if you want something that doesn't demand you think too hard. Just don't expect a revelation.
I found myself wondering if they were even having fun during the shoot. There is a disconnect somewhere. Maybe they were just tired of the costumes. Or maybe the script just didn't give them enough to dig their teeth into.
It’s a harmless watch. 🍿
