Malle gevallen is a weird, dusty trip

Is it worth your time?

Honestly? Probably not, unless you’re deep into obscure vintage cinema or just really need to see what a 1930s Dutch flat looked like. If you enjoy slapstick that feels like it’s aged in a basement for ninety years, you might get a kick out of it. If you want a plot that makes actual sense or characters you don't want to shove out a window, stay far away.

The whole premise is basically just three guys acting like absolute goons to mess with poor Piet Janssen. It’s the kind of "humor" that relies on people tripping over things or being loud in hallways.

Mr. Smallebroek is the landlord who lives downstairs, and I swear, the man must have the patience of a saint. Or he’s just deaf. Either way, the amount of stomping around happening in that flat is honestly impressive for a building that looks like it’s made of cardboard.

The vibe

It’s all very stagey. You can tell the actors are practically yelling their lines so the microphones—which were probably the size of a toaster—could pick them up. Sometimes the rhythm just dies in the middle of a scene.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Malle gevallen (1934) through its definitive frames.

There’s this one bit where they’re teasing their rival, and the timing is so off it feels like they’re waiting for a cue that never came. It’s awkward, but in a way that’s kind of funny if you stop looking for a 'movie' and start looking at it like a chaotic rehearsal.

It’s not quite as charming as La meilleure bobonne, which at least had a bit of a spark to it. Here, everything feels a little... gray. Maybe that’s just the print I saw, but even the jokes feel like they’ve lost their color.

• The staircases in this movie are a character of their own.
• I’m still not sure what those girls even saw in these guys.
• The hat choices are, uh, something else.

I found myself wondering if any of these people actually knew each other in real life. They interact with this weird, frantic energy that doesn't really land. It’s like they were all told 'be funny' and just decided to be loud instead.

I wouldn't call it a total disaster, but it’s definitely one of those films you watch while doing the dishes. You don't need to give it your full attention. Actually, you're probably better off if you don't. 🎞️