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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. My Lips Betray remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you want a gritty drama, run away. This is for people who like those old black-and-white musical comedies where everyone speaks in a slightly posh accent and the biggest problem is a lack of royal funds.
If you have a low tolerance for 'dim' characters or plotlines that rely on pure coincidence, you’ll probably find this movie incredibly grating. Honestly, the whole thing is like a piece of cotton candy—sweet for a second and then it just vanishes.
Lilian Harvey is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. She has this frantic energy that keeps the movie from totally sinking, even when the writing gets lazy. She’s singing for rent money, which is a relatable enough start, I guess.
Then we get the King, played by John Boles. He mostly just stares longingly at things. There is this one scene where they are supposed to be falling in love, and it feels like they are reading off cue cards that are taped to each other’s foreheads. Awkward.
It’s not as sharp as some other period comedies. I kept thinking about Secrets and how that one managed to balance its tone way better. Here, everything is just sort of… beige. Pleasant, but beige.
Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it worth watching if you’ve run out of better things to do? Sure. It’s got that specific 1930s polish that is fun to look at, even if the heart of the movie is basically non-existent. 🤷♂️
Just don't go in expecting a meditation on love or royalty. It’s just a song and dance, and then the credits roll.