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5.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Leather Necker remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for silent-era comedians trying to navigate the transition into talkies. If you want a tight, punchy narrative, keep walking. This is for the folks who like seeing how legends like Langdon looked when they were just kind of... there.
Do not expect a masterpiece. Expect a weird little relic that feels like a campfire story told by someone who forgot the ending.
There’s something inherently uncomfortable about watching a guy like Langdon play a 'tough' leatherneck. He’s got that signature confused-puppy face, and it doesn’t exactly scream Marine Corps.
The rivalry with his old sergeant? It’s basically two guys standing in a room, puffing their chests out, trying to remember why they cared about a girl who probably forgot them decades ago. It feels like The Range Feud, but with fewer horses and way more awkward pauses.
It’s not as polished as Nell Gwynne, that’s for sure. It’s got this weird, scrappy energy that feels like it might fall apart if someone sneezes too hard on the set.
The whole thing feels like a footnote. A very small, slightly faded footnote. You can practically hear the director wishing they were filming something else entirely. 🙄
"Whatever happened to the good old days?" asks a character. I found myself asking the same thing about the script.
If you're looking for deep character arcs, you are definitely in the wrong place. This is just a guy trying to be a soldier and failing at it in the most Langdon way possible. It’s not great, but it’s not exactly a crime against cinema either. It’s just... a movie. Sometimes that’s enough, I guess. Or maybe it isn't.
