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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
Honestly? Only if you are a massive fan of 1930s stage history or you just really, really love old-school variety revues. If you want a narrative, or characters that have actual arcs, you’re going to be bored out of your mind within ten minutes.
People who enjoy seeing how media evolves might find it interesting, but everyone else will probably find the whole thing a bit grating.
There is something about the way these performers look directly into the camera that feels a bit unsettling. It’s not just the performance; it’s the lack of any real cinematic language.
It’s just a stage show that someone decided to point a camera at. Nothing more, nothing less.
Compared to something like Lights of Old Broadway, this lacks any real sense of place. It’s just people standing in front of a painted backdrop, hoping the audience is laughing along.
I kept waiting for a scene to break out, but it never really happens. It just moves from one song to the next. The rhythm is weirdly disjointed, like a mixtape where the tracks don't really flow into each other.
I found myself staring at the background extras more than the leads. One guy in the back row looks like he’s having a total crisis about whether he left the stove on at home. He’s way more interesting than the main singer.
The whole thing feels very thin. It’s a movie that doesn't really want to be a movie, and you can feel that resistance in every frame. 🤷♂️
If you're looking for something that challenges you, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a weird, slightly uncomfortable window into a forgotten style of performance, then sure, go for it.
Just don't expect it to change your life.