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3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Fridolf i lejonkulan remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for 1930s Swedish slapstick, you might find something to love here. If you hate watching characters make the same stupid mistake five times in a row, stay far, far away.
This isn't high art. It's barely even a coherent movie by modern standards. But Fridolf Rhudin has this hangdog expression that’s hard to look away from.
The whole premise hinges on Fridolf being just, well, painfully dim. He thinks his first wife is dead because of a letter, then marries someone else, and naturally, the first wife reappears as part of a circus act. It’s the kind of plot that only exists to justify people falling over in sawdust.
The circus scenes feel like they go on for an eternity. There’s a moment where he’s trying to navigate a tent that feels less like a narrative choice and more like a test of the audience's patience. 🤡
It reminds me a bit of the frantic pacing in Hot Dog where things just happen because the camera is rolling. There’s no grace, just movement.
It’s not as polished as Ladies of Leisure, but it has a messy, honest heart. It’s the cinematic equivalent of tripping over your own shoelaces in front of a crush.
Sometimes the film just stops. It’s like the editor got bored. You'll be mid-scene and then—pop—cut to a wide shot of a horse. It’s weirdly endearing.
Don't look for deep themes here. There aren't any. Just a man being very bad at being married and even worse at being a human being. Worth it for the vintage vibes alone, though.