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6.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. May I Come In remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like those dusty old talkies where everyone sounds like they are shouting into a tin can, then yeah, give it a look. It’s mostly for people who find vintage golf outfits funny or folks who want to see early Leo McCarey stuff. You will probably hate it if you need a plot that moves faster than a snail on a Sunday stroll. 🐌
Jim Murdock is the kind of guy who thinks a successful marriage means providing a house and then never showing up to it. Edmund Lowe plays him with this constant look of mild confusion. His mustache is also doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the acting department. It’s very well-groomed.
Leila Hyams plays the wife, and honestly, she’s way too cool for him. She just wants to play golf and hang out. When she eventually leaves him, you kind of want to cheer. The movie tries to make it seem like a tragedy, but Jim is being a total bore.
The golf scenes are the best part, but not for the reasons the director probably wanted. They are so clearly filmed on a soundstage. The 'grass' looks like someone just laid down some green carpet from a basement remodel. ⛳
I noticed one scene where Jim is trying to swing a club and he looks like he’s trying to swat a fly with a broomstick. It’s painfully awkward. You can tell he’s never held a golf club in his life before the cameras started rolling.
Then they separate. It happens so fast. One minute they are arguing, the next she’s a model. The transition is super jarring. It reminds me a bit of how things moved in Ladies Must Dress, just very abrupt and weirdly focused on clothes.
Jim goes to the doctor because he’s stressed. The doctor tells him to play golf. This is my kind of medical advice. Why don't doctors suggest hobbies anymore? Now they just tell you to eat less salt.
Then we meet Tommy Milligan. He’s the Irish caddie. Tommy Clifford plays him, and man, that kid is loud. His accent is so thick you could use it to stop a door. He spends the whole time giving Jim these 'philosophical' nuggets about life.
Most of it is just common sense, but the movie treats it like holy wisdom. Jim stares at the kid like he's a prophet. It’s a little bit silly, but also kind of sweet in a '1930s sentimentality' way.
It’s a lot like Only a Husband where the guy is basically a big kid who needs a push to do the right thing. Except here, the push comes from a teenager in a flat cap.
There is a scene where Jim is at the 'links'—they call it the links about a thousand times—and he meets his wife again. The tension is supposed to be high, but they both just look like they want to go get a sandwich. The silence between lines is so long you could probably go make a coffee and come back without missing anything.
I also love the random modeling subplot. It feels like it belongs in another movie entirely. She’s just standing there while people look at her. It’s a very strange detour for a movie that is supposedly about a marriage failing.
The sound quality is... well, it’s 1930. You can hear every single footstep like it’s a drum solo. And whenever someone closes a door, it sounds like a gunshot. 💥
One reaction shot of the caddie lingers for so long it actually becomes funny. He’s just smiling at Jim for what feels like an eternity. I think the editor might have fallen asleep for a second there.
Is it better than A Gentleman of Leisure? Maybe. It’s definitely got more heart. But it’s also much goofier.
The ending is very predictable. You know exactly where it’s going from the moment Jim picks up that first golf ball. But that’s okay. Sometimes you want a movie that doesn't try to surprise you. 😴
I did notice a weird shadow on the wall during the big 'reconciliation' scene. I think it’s a boom mic. Or maybe just a very confused extra. It’s these little imperfections that make these old films feel real to me.
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even a 'great' movie. But it’s a human one. It’s about a guy learning that his job doesn't love him back, which is a lesson a lot of people still haven't learned today.
If you see it, watch it for the caddie. He’s a hoot. And watch it for the hats. The hats are spectacular. Everyone has a different one for every scene. I don't know how they kept track of them all.
Anyway, it’s a decent way to spend an hour. Just don’t expect to remember much of it the next morning. It’s like a light snack. Not very filling, but tastes okay while you’re eating it.
Final thought: If you've ever wanted to see a man have an existential crisis while wearing knickerbockers, this is the film for you. 🏌️♂️
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