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5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Let's Try Again remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for pre-code era bickering and people in suits talking in drawing rooms, then yeah, Let's Try Again is a solid Friday night pick. If you need explosions or a plot that moves at warp speed, you’ll probably be checking your watch within fifteen minutes. It’s for the folks who like to watch people make bad decisions in high-definition black and white.
The whole premise is basically: "We’ve been married ten years, let’s blow it up." It’s surprisingly brutal, honestly. Most movies from this time would force them back together with a smile, but this one actually lets the resentment breathe a little bit. It’s kind of refreshing.
I found myself zoning out during the scenes with the supporting cast—some of those side characters feel like they wandered in from A Social Celebrity just to fill space. But whenever the two leads are just sniping at each other over breakfast? That’s where the gold is. The dialogue has this sharp, jagged edge that feels real, or at least as real as 1930s studio writing gets.
It’s not perfect. It’s actually kind of clunky. But there’s a soul to it that feels missing in a lot of newer stuff. It doesn’t try to be a "profound meditation" on anything, which is exactly why it works. It’s just people being messy. 🤷♂️
If you liked the vibe of Empty Arms, this will probably scratch that same itch. Don’t expect it to change your life or anything. Just expect to see a lot of people in nice hats making life way harder than it needs to be.
Also, the ending. I’m not gonna spoil it, but let’s just say it ends exactly how you’d expect a movie from this era to end, even if the journey there felt a bit more rebellious. Classic.
