Gypsy: A dusty, slightly uncomfortable period piece

Is it worth your time?

If you have a thing for black-and-white melodrama and don't mind a story that feels like it was written on a napkin, you might find some charm here. People who prefer their protagonists to make logical choices will probably want to throw their remote at the screen within twenty minutes. It’s definitely not for everyone, especially if you get annoyed by rich guys acting like they own the room.

The whole thing starts with Hassina basically throwing her life away for a lion tamer named Brazil. Who is, of course, not where he said he would be. Classic move. The way she just collapses from hunger in front of Alan Brooks’ house felt a little too convenient, even for a movie from this era. 🙄

Wait, the lion tamer?

The film teases this wild life in the circus, but we barely get a whiff of it before we’re stuck in a stuffy London mansion. I kept waiting for a lion to show up or for the circus vibe to come back, but nope. Just fancy dinners and awkward silences.

Speaking of, Roland Young plays the wealthy bachelor, and he has this way of looking at people like he’s constantly debating if he should buy them or just keep them as a pet. It’s a bit unsettling. It’s not quite as charming as The Love Habit, which had a bit more snap to the dialogue.

• The wardrobe department clearly had a better time than the writers.
• Some of the reaction shots last way too long. Seriously, someone just staring at a doorway for ten seconds isn't art.
• It reminds me a bit of the pacing in The Dream Lady, but without the same kind of focus.

There’s a specific scene near the middle where they’re talking about London fog or something equally dull, and you can tell the actors are just trying to remember their lines. It’s not a disaster, but it’s not exactly thrilling either. It just sort of… exists.

I found myself zoning out and looking at the furniture in the background. The decor is actually pretty great. Very 1930s high-end, even if the characters inside the house are all a bit lost.

If you’re looking for a masterpiece, keep walking. If you just want to see some people make questionable romantic decisions while wearing nice hats, you’ll be fine. 🎩