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5.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. I'll Fix It remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies from the thirties where someone tries to boss everyone around and ends up getting a reality check, you’ll dig this. It’s not exactly a masterpiece, but it’s got a weirdly specific energy. If you hate old-timey moralizing or need high-stakes drama, look elsewhere.
Bill Grimes is the kind of guy who probably thinks he invented the concept of the "favor." Watching him try to navigate a school board with the same tactics he uses in a backroom deal is, frankly, pretty funny. It’s like bringing a tank to a spelling bee.
Anne Barry is the real deal, though. She’s the teacher, and she isn’t blinking. There’s a scene where the power dynamic shifts just enough that you can see Grimes actually getting annoyed, not just angry. It’s a nice, subtle moment in a movie that usually isn't very subtle at all.
The brother, Jimmy? He’s just kind of there. He’s the MacGuffin of the whole operation. You can almost feel the script pushing him around just to keep the plot moving. It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in Here Comes the Navy, though without all the nautical hullabaloo.
There’s this one bit in the classroom—the chalkboard looks like it’s been through a war. Why is it always so dusty in these movies? I found myself staring at the background details more than the actual dialogue for about three minutes. Maybe that’s on me.
The acting is fine. It’s that crisp, fast-talking thirties style that sounds like everyone’s had too much coffee. It works for this, mostly. You don't come to these for the nuances; you come for the steamroller getting stopped by a sign that says 'Stop.'
Little observations:
It’s a short watch. By the time you’re starting to get tired of Grimes’ ego, the credits are rolling. It doesn't overstay its welcome. That’s a win in my book. 🏈