Pappi: Circus drama or just a mess?

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies that smell like old film stock and have that very specific, slightly theatrical 1940s energy, you might actually dig Pappi. It’s not going to change your life, but it has a certain sweetness that’s hard to hate. If you’re allergic to melodrama or need your cinema to be fast-paced, just skip it. You’ll probably hate the way the villains twirl their mustaches, metaphorically speaking.

The whole thing centers on this poor orphan girl who is basically a pawn in a game of checkers played by her horrible, money-hungry relatives. They want the inheritance, of course. They always do. But then there’s the uncle. He’s just a clerk at a liquor store, which feels like such a strange, grounded job for a character in a movie about the circus. It’s a nice touch, honestly. He’s the only one who actually treats the kid like a human being instead of a bag of gold coins.

The Circus Vibe

The circus scenes have this oddly empty feeling, like half the extras wandered off to get a sandwich right before the camera rolled. It doesn't look like a bustling, magical place—it looks like a dusty lot where people are trying their best to look busy. 🎪

There is this one moment where the uncle is trying to explain something to the girl, and the background noise of the lions or whatever is just so hilariously low-budget. You can tell they were trying to convince us it was a grand spectacle. It just made me laugh.

• The dialogue is stilted, but in a way that feels intentional.
• The lighting in the liquor store scenes is surprisingly moody for what it is.
• The little girl’s acting is... well, it’s a performance.

If you’ve seen Alice's Orphan, you might recognize that familiar "poor kid against the world" trope, though this feels a bit more European and definitely more focused on the booze-seller protagonist. It’s not quite as cynical as something like The Show-Off, either. It stays firmly in its lane.

One reaction shot of the main villain lasts about five seconds too long. It turns from 'menacing' to 'is he waiting for his cue?' pretty fast. I actually had to rewind to make sure I wasn't seeing things. It’s that kind of movie. You’re never quite sure if the director knew exactly what they were doing, or if they just liked the way the lighting hit the actor’s nose.

I don't know, man. It’s a bit of a relic. But sometimes, watching a movie that isn't trying to be a masterpiece is exactly what you need on a Tuesday night. Just don't go in expecting to be moved to tears by the high-wire acts. 🤡