Ginger Rogers and the burden of being famous in In Person

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, only if you’re a die-hard fan of Ginger Rogers or just really crave that specific 1930s screwball energy. If you hate movies where the whole conflict could be solved by one honest conversation, you’re gonna have a bad time. It’s light, it’s fluffy, and it’s about as deep as a puddle on a sunny day.

There is this moment where Carol tries so hard to blend in, but she’s wearing clothes that definitely cost more than the entire set of Strictly Fresh Yeggs combined. It’s funny in a weird, unintentional way. You can tell she’s just itching to be recognized while pretending she isn't.

The chemistry between Rogers and George Brent is... well, it’s there. Sometimes. Other times it feels like they’re both waiting for their lunch break to start. Brent plays the rugged guy like he’s bored of his own personality, which is a choice, I guess.

The Tangents

• That one hat Ginger wears in the second act? Absolutely tragic.
• The pacing in the middle drags so hard you could take a nap and wake up and they're still talking in the same room.
• I spent five minutes wondering why the lighting in the outdoor scenes looks like it was shot in a basement.

It’s not a masterpiece, and it definitely isn't trying to be. It’s just a movie about a lady who wants to be normal for five minutes. Sometimes that’s enough. Other times, I’d rather watch Tol'able David just to see something with a bit more grit. Actually, maybe that’s just me being grumpy.

The film hits its stride only when it stops trying to be a serious romantic drama. When it finally leans into the absurdity of the disguise, it's actually kind of sweet. Don't go looking for life-changing cinema here. Just bring some popcorn and maybe a snack.