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5.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Farmer remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, if you are the kind of person who enjoys early animation where limbs stretch like taffy and everyone is constantly bouncing, you will have a decent ten minutes here. If you prefer your cinema with, say, a coherent plot or dialogue that makes sense, you should probably skip this and watch In Old Arizona instead. It is pure, unfiltered chaos for the sake of a laugh. 🐰
The farm chores feel like an afterthought. They are just there to set up the gags where someone gets hit with a shovel or a pitchfork. I caught myself squinting at the background art—there is this one fence post that seems to vibrate every time Oswald walks past it. Probably just a sloppy frame, but it adds a weird, jittery charm.
The barn dance is where the movie finally decides to wake up. The way the characters move is just frantic. There is this one bit where Pete tries to dance and his legs turn into a literal accordion. It shouldn't be funny, but I definitely chuckled. It feels like the animators were just throwing things at the wall to see what stuck.
Honestly, watching this made me think about Back Stage. Both films have that same restless energy where no one can stand still for more than three seconds. It is exhausting, in a good way.
It is not trying to be a masterpiece. It is just a cartoon. Sometimes that is exactly what you need. It is not as polished as some later stuff, but it has a pulse. 🚜
If you have seen Lions' Jaws and Kittens' Paws, you know the exact rhythm they are aiming for here. Everything is a setup for a punchline that hits about two seconds after you expect it to. It is weirdly paced, but that is the charm. Don't overthink it.