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6.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Cat's-Paw remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old movies that actually have a bit of a bite, yes. If you want a lighthearted romp where everything stays happy and fluffy, maybe skip this one. It starts as a fish-out-of-water story but takes a turn into something way more cynical than I was ready for.
Harold Lloyd plays Ezekiel Cobb with this intense, wide-eyed sincerity that makes you want to protect him. Then he starts cleaning up a corrupt city with a level of ruthlessness that’s honestly kind of shocking. It’s not just a comedy. It’s a movie about how a 'good' person has to become a monster to beat the actual monsters.
There is this one scene where he’s just sitting there, being pushed around by these corrupt suits, and he keeps that same polite, vacant smile on his face. You can see the gears turning. He isn't stupid. He's just waiting for the right moment to burn the whole house down. It’s a great bit of acting that doesn't feel like 'acting' at all.
It reminds me a bit of the frantic, slightly desperate energy you see in films like The Man Who Woke Up, where the protagonist is just trying to find his footing in a world that’s moved on without him. Except here, the world is actively trying to kill him.
The pacing is a bit uneven, sure. Some of the slapstick feels like it belongs in a completely different movie. But when the plot focuses on the corruption and the backroom deals, it’s surprisingly tight. It’s not trying to be a deep, soulful look at humanity, thank god. It’s just a story about a guy who realizes that being nice doesn't win elections.
I caught myself laughing at the wrong moments. The way the villains get outsmarted is almost too easy, but it’s so satisfying I didn't care. It’s definitely got that 1930s charm, but with a weirdly modern edge to the cynicism. Definitely worth a watch if you’re tired of the usual stuff. 🍿
