Man to Man (1930) - A really awkward family reunion

If you're in the mood for a movie that feels like a dusty old secret, Man to Man is actually worth a look. It’s great for people who like those early 'talkies' where the drama feels a bit raw and unpolished. People who want big explosions or fast-paced action will probably hate this one though.

The whole thing starts when Barber gets out of prison. Grant Mitchell plays the dad, and he has this way of slouching that makes him look like he’s trying to disappear into his own coat. 🧥

His son Michael is played by Phillips Holmes. He’s a big-shot at the local college and he is not happy to see his old man. Michael is basically a giant ball of anxiety and ego.

There is this one scene in a bank where Michael works that is just... painful. His dad walks in just to say hello, and you can see Michael’s face just drop. He looks like he’s swallowed a lemon because he’s so scared his coworkers will find out who his dad is.

I dont know why Michael has to be such a jerk, but it makes the movie feel very human. We’ve all been embarrassed by our parents, even if they didn't go to jail for killing someone in self-defense. 🤐

The pacing is a bit weird. It starts slow and then suddenly there is a whole subplot about a bank robbery that feels like it belongs in a different movie. It reminds me a bit of the tonal shifts in The White Black Sheep, where things just happen because the script says so.

I really liked the tiny details in the background. Like the way the office desks look so cluttered and real. Or the way people wore their hats inside back then—it’s just odd to see now.

Phillips Holmes has these very intense eyes. Sometimes he stares at the camera a second too long and it feels like he’s looking right through you. It’s a bit creepy but it works for his character’s obsession with his social standing.

The ending feels a little bit too tidy. Everything gets wrapped up in a way that feels like the director was checking items off a list. But before that, the tension between the father and son is actually quite good.

Its much more interesting than something like Fighting Odds, which can be a bit of a chore to get through. This one at least has some real heart under all that 1930s fuzziness. ❤️

One guy in the cast, Otis Harlan, provides some comic relief. He’s okay, but his jokes feel like they’re about a hundred years old, which I guess they are. Some of the side characters just sort of wander in and out of the frame without much to do.

The movie is short, which is a plus. It doesn't overstay its welcome or try to be more than it is. It’s just a story about a guy trying to be a dad to a kid who doesn't want one.

If you find it on a streaming site or a late-night channel, give it a shot. Just don't expect a happy-go-lucky time. It’s a bit of a bummer, but in a good way. 📽️

• Grant Mitchell is the MVP here.
• The bank robbery feels very tacked on.
• The college kids are all dressed like they're forty years old.