Stackars miljonärer: A vintage look at rich people acting weird

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, if you have a soft spot for black-and-white comedies from the 40s, you’ll probably get a kick out of Stackars miljonärer. It’s not trying to change the world. It’s just trying to make you chuckle at the expense of people who are trying a little too hard to look important.

If you need fast pacing or modern camera tricks to stay awake, skip this one. You will likely hate the slower, theatrical rhythm. It’s a movie that demands you just sit back and let the dialogue do the heavy lifting.

The whole premise is classic: Jan Eriksson wins a trip to a mountain resort. It’s the kind of setup that feels like it could have easily been the plot for When the Wife's Away, given how much everyone is hiding or pretending to be someone they aren't.

Odd little moments

• The way the hotel staff look at Jan when he first arrives. It’s pure, unadulterated snobbery captured in one look.
• There’s a scene involving a dinner table that lasts forever. I’m pretty sure they just let the cameras roll while the actors forgot their lines.
• The lighting in the lobby is so bright it almost hurts to look at. It feels like they were filming in an operating room.

I couldn't help but think about how much this contrasts with the grit you see in films like The General Line. Here, the biggest problem is someone wearing the wrong suit or sitting at the wrong table. It’s charming, in a very specific, dated way.

Adolf Jahr carries so much of the weight here. He has this way of blinking right before he delivers a punchline that makes you wonder if he’s actually in on the joke or just really tired. It works, though. It gives the movie a heartbeat.

There’s a weird tangent halfway through where they just focus on a minor character trying to order coffee. It serves absolutely no purpose to the plot. I loved it.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s just a nice, slightly dusty artifact. Sometimes that’s exactly what I want on a Tuesday night. 🏔️