The Good Old Soak: A Grumpy Old Man vs. The World

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies where an older guy just sits around, drinks, and complains about the youth, you’ll probably have a good time with The Good Old Soak. It isn’t high art, and the pacing is definitely from a different era. If you need explosions or a tight, fast-moving plot, skip this. It’s for the people who want to watch Wallace Beery stumble through a house and somehow save the day.

Wallace Beery plays Clem Hawley, and honestly, nobody could play a lovable grump quite like him. He’s got that voice that sounds like he’s gargling gravel and good intentions. Watching him try to navigate his family’s drama while nursing a glass of something strong is just good clean fun. 🥃

The banker in this movie is the worst. He’s the kind of guy who wears a suit to breakfast and thinks he’s better than everyone else. Seeing him get taken down by a man who probably hasn't been sober since 1928? It feels pretty good.

There is this one scene where Clem is trying to have a serious conversation, but he’s so far gone it just falls apart. The camera lingers on his face for way too long. It’s supposed to be funny, but it ends up being a little bit sad, too. You can tell the director wasn't sure if they wanted us to laugh or feel bad for him. I think they wanted both.

The rest of the family feels like they wandered in from a different movie. They’re all so polished and stressed out. It makes the house feel really cramped. Almost like you’re trapped in there with them, waiting for Clem to break something.

I couldn't help but compare the vibe here to the more chaotic energy of The Little Rascals. It has that same feeling of people trying to make sense of a world that just wants to mess with them. Only, you know, with more alcohol and fewer go-karts.

Little things I noticed:

• The wallpaper in the living room is truly something else. It looks like it’s peeling in real-time.
• Clem’s hat. I want to know where they found that specific shade of sad brown.
• The way the banker holds his umbrella makes me want to scream.
• The sound quality dips during the outdoor scenes, but it somehow makes it feel more authentic.

It’s not a movie that’s going to change your life. It won't win any awards for modern storytelling. But sometimes, you just want to watch a guy be a total disaster for an hour and a half. It’s comforting in a weird, dusty way.

If you have a spare evening and a drink of your own, give it a shot. Just don't expect a masterpiece. It’s just a nice, grumpy little film. 🍻