Mein Leopold: A bit dusty, but strangely sweet

Is it worth the watch?

Look, if you’re looking for a high-octane thriller, keep walking. Mein Leopold is for the folks who like their movies to feel like a dusty stage play found in an attic. It’s got that specific 1930s German charm where everyone is a bit loud and the sets look like they might tip over if someone sneezes too hard. If you appreciate old-world comedy, you’ll find it sweet. If you need constant movement, you’re going to be bored out of your mind within ten minutes.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Mein Leopold (1931) through its definitive frames.

The story isn't reinventing the wheel. A guy gets a bit of cash, gets a big head, and then chaos ensues. We’ve seen this a thousand times. But there’s something about how they handle the social ladder climbing that feels oddly grounded, even if the acting is turned up to an eleven.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Mein Leopold (1931) through its definitive frames.

Notes from the couch

• The wallpaper in the living room scenes is honestly distracting. Why is it so busy?
• Harald Paulsen really knows how to play a guy who thinks he’s much smarter than he actually is. It’s a very specific brand of cringe that works.
• The transitions are basically non-existent. It just jumps from one room to the next like the characters have teleporters.
• There's a scene near the middle that goes on for ages. They’re just talking about money and hats. I think I drifted off and woke up to them still talking about hats.

It’s funny how much this reminds me of the pacing in Seine Hoheit, der Eintänzer, but maybe a little less polished. It feels like the director just let the camera roll and hoped for the best. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it just feels like we’re waiting for the actors to remember their lines.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Mein Leopold (1931) through its definitive frames.

I found myself watching the background extras more than the main cast for a while. One guy in the back of the cafe scene just keeps stirring his coffee for three straight minutes without ever taking a sip. It’s mesmerizing in a weird, low-stakes way. ☕

Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon when you don't want to think too hard? Sure. It’s got that slightly imperfect, scrappy energy that makes me feel like I’m actually watching a film, not just a product churned out by a studio machine.

It’s not trying to be a meditation on greed or whatever. It’s just a guy being a bit of a jerk, then learning he’s a jerk. Sometimes, that’s all you really need.