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6.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Expectant Father remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you've ever felt that specific, soul-crushing dread of asking your boss for a day off, The Expectant Father is going to make you twitch. It is definitely worth a watch if you like old-school character studies, but skip it if you are looking for high-octane drama or anything beyond a very simple, relatable headache. 👶
Ernest Truex plays the kind of guy who looks like he’s apologizing for existing. The way he fidgets with his hat before even opening his boss's office door is painfully recognizable. You really feel the sweat on his brow.
The pacing is tight, maybe a little too tight. It doesn't waste a second on scenery, which I appreciate, but it also means we don't get much time to breathe between the awkward office scene and the absolute disaster at the hospital.
Speaking of the hospital, the moment they lock eyes in the waiting room is pure gold. It’s the kind of collision you’d expect in a slapstick comedy, but here it plays out with just enough grounded tension to make you wince. I kept waiting for someone to yell, but the movie keeps things weirdly quiet.
It reminded me a bit of the tension in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, though obviously with zero of the actual danger. Just the danger of losing your job, which feels just as high stakes when you've got a baby on the way.
The supporting cast is… fine. They exist. They do their jobs. But let’s be honest, you are watching this for Truex. He carries the whole thing on his slumped shoulders.
It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a solid chunk of film that knows exactly what it wants to be. It doesn't try to be Seeds of Freedom or some grand statement. It’s just a guy, a baby, and a very bad day. 🏥