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6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. I've Got Your Number remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, if you want a movie that settles down and explains itself, look elsewhere. I've Got Your Number is the kind of flick that grabs you by the collar within the first five minutes and just refuses to let go until the credits roll. It's perfect for a rainy afternoon when you don't want to think, but you do want to watch Pat O'Brien talk really, really fast.
The plot is basically just a string of excuses for these two repairmen to act like total goons. They spend their time climbing poles and trying to flirt, which goes about as well as you’d expect. If you’re the type of person who needs a deep, meaningful character arc to feel satisfied, you will probably end up hating this. If you just want to see some classic 1934 banter and people getting slapped, you're golden.
There's a specific energy to these old comedies that you just don't see anymore. It’s not polished—sometimes the cuts feel a bit jerky, like they didn't have enough film left—but it works. It feels more like a The Thin Man light, without the mystery, just pure chaotic energy.
One scene where they’re trying to navigate a social situation feels like it goes on for an hour, but in a funny way. It’s like watching a train wreck where everyone is wearing a nice suit. There's this one reaction shot of a telephone operator that lasts about two seconds too long, and I’m pretty sure she was actually annoyed at the director. It’s great.
The romance part is... well, it’s there. It’s not exactly Shakespeare, but it’s charming in a 'hey, let's get married after knowing each other for ten minutes' kind of way. It lacks the grit of something like The Night Rider, but honestly, who cares? It’s breezy.
It’s not a movie I’d write a thesis on. But it is a movie I’d put on in the background while I’m doing dishes, and then I’d end up dropping the sponge because I’m staring at the screen again. ☎️