DbcultAccessing Vault...
6.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Four Star Boarder remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for 1930s slapstick and guys named Charley Chase running around with their trousers in a twist. If you hate movies where the whole plot could be solved by just telling the truth for five seconds, stay far away. This one is for the fans of old-school, frantic desperation.
The whole thing moves at a pace that feels like it’s trying to beat a deadline. Charley is just *exhausting* to watch, but in that way that keeps you locked in. He’s got this nervous energy, like he’s constantly checking for a fire that isn't there.
It’s the classic setup: convince the aunt that Connie is married to the old flame. Why? Because the aunt is difficult and, frankly, probably needs a hobby. Watching Charley try to juggle the identities is like watching someone try to carry twelve grocery bags with no handles.
There’s a moment near the middle where Charley is hiding, and the timing is just… off. It lingers for a heartbeat too long, making the whole thing feel more like a stage play that forgot to switch scenes. It’s weirdly charming, though. It feels human, not like those perfectly polished studio bits where every movement is mapped out by a computer.
I couldn't help but compare the frantic energy here to something like Visitin' 'round at Coolidge Corners. It has that same sense of "people running into rooms for no reason." It isn't high art. It isn't trying to change your life.
Sometimes, a movie just needs to be a guy failing to lie. The ending is abrupt, almost like the film reel just ran out of tape. It didn't need a big, emotional conclusion, and I appreciate that. It just stops. Thank goodness for that.
It’s a bit messy, sure. But it’s a *fun* messy. 🤡