The Bachelor Father (1935): A dusty, polite family reunion

Is it worth watching?

Honestly, you probably already know if you’re the type to enjoy The Bachelor Father. If you like black-and-white dramas where everyone is impossibly polite even when they have every reason to be annoyed, you’ll find this charming. If you need a movie that moves faster than a polite stroll through a garden, stay away. It’s a bit of a relic, but a kind one.

The whole premise is just a setup for a bunch of people who don't know each other to stand around an estate looking pleasant. Count Kristian Örnklo is the guy in charge, and honestly, the way he just decides to summon his long-lost kids from Spain, Norway, and Denmark feels very 'diplomat-who-never-learned-how-to-actually-parent.' It’s weird, right? He spent decades being a busy guy and now he just wants a weekend photo op.

Then there’s John, the doctor’s son who has to do all the legwork. He’s the glue holding this mess together, and naturally, he ends up falling for Kerstin. The chemistry is... well, it’s 1935, so it’s mostly just intense staring and polite nods. It reminded me a bit of the vibe in Young and Healthy, where things feel just a little too tidy to be real.

Oddly specific observations:

• The way they handle the travel logistics in this movie is hilarious. It’s like, 'Oh, I'll just hop over to Spain and grab Enrico, back in time for lunch.'
• The countryside estate scenes have this weird, hollow echo to them. Sometimes it sounds like they’re recording inside a giant tin can.
• There's a moment where they’re all sitting around a table, and the blocking is so rigid it feels like they’re afraid to accidentally knock over a vase.
• I spent way too long wondering who actually keeps the books for the Count. Does he just sit there all day thinking about his kids?

It’s not trying to be The Loves of Mary, Queen of Scots or anything grand. It’s just a small, breezy story about people trying to figure out if they actually like each other. Sometimes the movie stops dead for a bit of dialogue that doesn't really go anywhere, but that’s fine. It feels honest, in a slow, Sunday-afternoon kind of way. ☕

It gets better when they stop trying to be 'dignified' and just start acting like a family, even if it’s a dysfunctional one. Still, it’s mostly just fluff. Don't expect to have your world changed. Just expect to see some nice clothes and hear some very polite arguments. Sometimes that’s enough.